"'Why,' says he, ''tain't healthy for blockade-chaps in these parts just now.... You heard o poor Mr. Lucy?' "'Yes, surely,' I says, pretty spiteful--'dirty business and all.' "He dropped the glass. "'What's that?' says he, short-like. "So cardingly I told him _all_ about it. "'That's my friend Fat George,' says he between his teeth. "'I suppose it's news to you,' I sneers. "He looks me in the eyes properly. "'This is the first I've heard of it,' says he. 'Struth it is! No,' he says, 'I gave him what he gave me, no more, and no less--five hundred, _crossed_; while I lay among the blue-bells and counted em out for him, same as he done for me. And when it was over--"And now," I says, "to show you I'm a Christian, I'll leave the boys to put you out of your pain; and that's more than ever you done for _me_." And I strolled away. They must ha been up to their larks a'ter I left--mucky gaol-birds!' he says. 'Funny thing they _can't_ be'ave like gentlemen.' "'Well,' I says, 'as to Mr. Lucy, he play'd it down a dog's trick on you; and you got back on him. And man to man,' I says, 'no parsons bein by, I don't say no to that. But if it comes to selling your country for money--' "He swings round all black and white and lightning. "'Money!' he snarls. 'Steady, Reube.' "'What then?' says I. "'Ah,' says he, drawing his breath like a cat swearin. 'As I just told you, I'm a Christian; and I don't forget.' "Talk o bitter! "'Well,' I says, 'if it's revenge you're a'ter, sims to me you've had a belly-ful.' "'Ah, I ain't begun yet,' says he, breathing slow. 'That's my little private account. There's the system to settle yet.' "'What!' says I, coming closer. 'So you're going to fix up the British Navy next?' "'Goin to try,' says he, rollin out that tarrible great laugh of his--'God helpin me.' "That was a bit _too_ much. "'Well, I'm a sailor myself,' says I, 'and an Englishman. So, mind yourself!' And I goes for him blind. "He never budge: just blew his whistle; and a dozen of em sprang out o nowhere. "'Unclasp his little arms,' says Diamond. 'He thinks I'm his lady-bird.' "Just then a whistle sounded rithe away acrost the Weald. Another nearer took it up, and another--like partridges callin on a summer's evening. "'Here he comes,' says Diamond, glass to his eye. 'Reube,' says he, 'there's things good kids such as you are best not seein. Boys, take him to the top o Deepdene, and give him a tilt down. Gently does it,' says he. 'He's an honester man nor any o you.' "So cardingly they march me away. "But I hadn't gone above a dozen steps, when I heard him comin a'ter me. "'Reube,' says he, kind o shy-like, 'I suppose you won't shake with an old ship-mate?' "'No,' says I, 'I don't shake with no ---- traitors.' "He drops his hand. "'Ah, well,' says he, 'think the best you can o me. You're much the man I'd ha been, if God had been gooder to me. Good-bye, Reube,' says he. 'All the luck.'