I am an old stager out here.

I saw her go down." I made ready to vent my indignation at such a stupid lie, when he added smoothly, "She was full of reptiles." 'This made me pause.

What did he mean?
The unsteady phantom of terror behind his glassy eyes seemed to stand still and look into mine wistfully.

"They turned me out of my bunk in the middle watch to look at her sinking," he pursued in a reflective tone.

His voice sounded alarmingly strong all at once.