HOW TOM WAS BOEN A FRENCHMAN 355 



another refused, and our Captain was beginning to despair 

 when he spied a brightly lighted inn from which came 

 sounds of singing and laughing. He felt certain some 

 ship's crew was making merry within, and pressed on, 

 when the sound of a well-known song of his own country 

 caused him to stop suddenly. He listened, with a 

 heart beating for joy, and waited for the chorus. Yes, 

 he was right ! These were his fellow-countrymen, and, 

 looking through the open door, he saw that they were not 

 only his countrymen, but the crew of his own ship the 

 ' Eoxalana.' 



He did not hesitate an instant. Thanks to his priva- 

 tions and adventures he was hardly recognisable. He 

 pushed the door wide open and walked in, followed by his 

 bear. 



A loud cheer greeted them. 



The Captain regretted not having held any rehearsal, 

 but the bear took the whole matter into his own hands 

 — or paws. 



He began by trotting round to clear a circle. The 

 sailors stood on the benches, the first mate seated himself 

 on the top of the stove, and the show began. 



Everything a bear could learn that bear knew. He 

 danced the minuet, rode astride on a broomstick, and 

 pointed out the greatest rogue in the company. Such a 

 shout of delight greeted the end of the performance that 

 the mate offered to buy the bear as a present to the crew. 



The Captain accepted the offer, but slipped out at the 

 beginning of the second part of the performance without 

 being recognized by any one. 



He made his way to the harbour, and after some time 

 succeeded in finding the ' Eoxalana,' swung himself on 

 deck, and went quietly down to his cabin and to bed. 



The crew came on board much later, and what was 

 their surprise next morning to see their missing captain 

 appear among them and take command of the vessel as 

 if he had never been absent. 



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