Page:The Dark Frigate (Hawes).djvu/172

aged, by pausing at the butt on his way, to drink nearly a quart, he had no mind the Old One should know of it.

The Old One smiled. ‘‘Go, drink, if thy tale be worth it; but mind, if I deem thy tale not worth it, thou shalt pay with a drop of blood for every drop of water.”

The cook shot a doubting glance at the Old One, but went none the less, and came back wiping his lips.

“Have at thy tale,” said the Old One.

There was a quaver in the cook’s voice, for he was by no means sure of how great a tale he could make, and the master’s face gave him small encouragement, for from the beginning of the tale to the end the Old One never altered his cold, cruel smile.

“It was the boatswain and young Canty,” he said.

"Ah!"

“They was leaning on the forecastle and walking the deck arm in arm and talking of one thing and another.”

‘‘And what did they say?”

“They talked about some one’s slow wit — I could not make sure whose, for they scoffed at me bitterly — and Canty was bepuzzled by the boatswain’s ways, and he wanted him to do something or other.”

“Go on.” The Old One, grinning coldly, leaned back and watched the labouring cook, who wracked his few brains to make a worthier story.

“Nay, but I heard little else. Yet, said I, the master must know at all costs.”

“What a thick head is thine and how easily seen through and through!”’ The Old One laughed. "Think you all this is worth a second thought? I am of the mind to have you skinned and salted. But I forgive you, since I have a milkish heart that is easy moved to pity. Get you down to your berth and sleep.”