Now it was, but in what way I never could exactly tell, that I threw out my right hand to stop a blow that I saw coming rather too near me, when, by some unhappy mischance, my doubled fist lighted upon Tom O'Reilly's nose.

Before I could express my sincere regret for the accident, the blow was returned with double force, and the next moment we were at it harder than the others.

After five minutes' sharp work, we both stopped for breath, and incontinently burst out a-laughing.

There was Tom, with a nose as large as three, a huge cheek on one side, and the whole head swinging round like a harlequin's; while I, with one eye closed, and the other like a half-shut cockle-shell, looked scarcely less rueful.

We had not much time for mirth, for at the same instant a sharp, full voice called out close beside us-- "To your quarters, sirs.