The one who had as yet scarcely spoken exclaimed--“A truce to the pleasure! I wish I could get hold of him, I would tell him my mind in a few words.” “Pray be calm, gentlemen.” All this time Admiral Boxer kept asking--“What do they say? They are speaking about me, I know they are. Tell them they are a fine set of fellows, and I will do anything for them, but they must be out by to-morrow night.” “Very well; but first let me inquire what the row is all about.” “Do so.” “Now, gentlemen, what is it you want? for here is a person who can do as much for you as the admiral himself, and perhaps more.” “Ah, pray ask him, then.” “But you have not yet told me what you require.” “Eh bien!” they said, both speaking at once, “pray, my friend, ask this gentleman to tell the English admiral to postpone the order for our landing to-morrow morning till the next day. It is impossible for us to land our men and horses so early. We have above four hundred horses on board; not half of which have been watered to-day, nor can they be, till we find some water. There is only a small pump to draw it from the hold of the vessel, and it takes hours to water a few horses.” Having explained this their chief trouble to the admiral, he said--“Tell them there will be plenty of water for them by four o’clock in the morning.” When I had done so, they inquired whether they could depend upon that gentleman’s word. I assured them that they might. “With respect to the other matters, we ought to see the admiral himself.” “Oh, don’t trouble yourself; I will do the rest for you.” This was merely a request concerning themselves. I did not like to trouble the admiral about it, and I thought the best way to get rid of them was to show them his flag-ship, telling them they might go there if they liked, but that it was a hundred to one if they found him on board. “No, no!” said one of them; “it is dinner-time, and the English like their dinner too well; he is sure to be at home, so we will go and see.” Having their boat with them, they went across. The admiral asked--“What do they want besides the water for their horses?” “Oh, they were inquiring about the camp.” I then related all our conversation, at which the admiral laughed heartily, saying he could understand some of it, but they spoke so very fast. “When they come on board to-morrow, they will be sure to recognise me.” “Oh no! having only seen you in the dark, they will not know you again; and I shall be there. Don’t trouble yourself; they will be quiet enough when they get all they want, and they have a very fine camp.” “Have you seen it?” “No, admiral, not yet.”