"Third.--I perfectly agree with the above remarks; but as all the other dubashes are as great thieves, and not half so intelligent, I conscientiously recommend Hommajee Baba. "Signed Peter Phillips, Captain Honbl. Company's cruiser _Vestal_. "Fourth.--Of all the scoundrels that I ever had to deal with, in this most rascally quarter of a most knavish world, Hommajee Baba is the greatest. Never give him any money, as he will find it; but when you go away, pay him one-third of his bill, and you will still have paid him too much. "Signed Billy Helflame, Captain H.M.S. _Spitfire_." About a dozen pages of the book were filled with certificates to the above effect, which the dubash, although he spoke English fluently, not being able to read, considered as he had been informed at the time, to be decidedly in his favour. They were so far valuable, that they put newcomers upon their guard, and prevented much extortion on the part of the said Hommajee. When the laughter had to a degree subsided, Billy Pitts was the first to exclaim--"Damn black villain--I think so, when he come to me; not like cut of um jib--" "`Who steals my purse, steals trash,'" spouted Price. "'Cause you never have money, Mr Price," cried Billy, interrupting him. "Silence, sir,--`But he who filches from me my good name, robs me of that--of that--'" "Rob you of what, sar?" "Silence, sir," again cried Price--"`robs me of that--' what is it?-- that damned black thief has put it out of my head--" "I not the thief, sar--Massa Price, you always forget end of your story." "I'll make an end of you directly, sir, if you're not off." "No! don't kill Billy," observed Courtenay; "it's bad enough to have murdered Shakespeare. Well, but now, it's my opinion, that we ought to employ this fellow--and take the advice that has been given to us in this book." Courtenay's proposal was assented to, and on his return, Hommajee Baba was installed in office.