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speak of him another time. What think you of this pretty pup we have met by the way? — Ah, thine eye darkens! Methinks thou hast more than once felt the rough side of his tongue.”

‘‘He bears himself somewhat struttingly — ” Martin hesitated, but added perforce, since he had received a friendly turn he could not soon forget, ‘‘yet he hath his good points.”

“He was one too many for thee! Nay, confess it!”

“Th’ art a filthy rascal!” Martin’s face burned with anger.

“I knew he would be too cunning for thy wool-gathering wits. Truly I believe he is a lad after my own heart. I have marked him well.”

"But hast thou plumbed his inclination with thy sounding lead?”

“Why, no. At worst, he can disappear. It has happened to taller men than he, and in a land where there are men at arms to come asking questions.”

"Hgh!”

“This for thy whining, though: we shall play upon him lightly. Some are not worth troubling over, but this lad is a cunning rogue and hath book learning.”

“Came you in search of this ship?”

“It was chance alone that brought us across her course. Chance alone, Martin, that brought your old captain back to you.”

Watching Martin, as he spoke, the Old One again laughed softly.

“Yea, Martin, it touches the heart of your old captain to see with what pleasure you receive him."

“Th’ art a cunning devil," Martin muttered, and babbled oaths and curses.