That, however, was the very thing needed.

If you want to get on well with a true Britisher you must first have a deuce of a row with him.

I knew that well enough, and so I fired away, shot for shot, as best I could.

"Well, yes," the doctor admitted at last, "your crew are healthy enough, no doubt, but who knows the diseases of your last port ?"--a reasonable enough remark.

"We ought to put you in the fort, sir!" he blustered; "but never mind.