For a time he seemed unconscious of their presence.

He lolled at his ease, humming, not unmelodiously, snatches of a rude song, and fingering a pack of cards.

Ever and anon the light from his cigar gave a touch of colour to his face.
"Now then, bullies," he said briskly, "six of you walk the plank to-night, but I have room for two cabin boys.

Which of you is it to be ?" "Don't irritate him unnecessarily," had been Wendy's instructions in the hold; so Tootles stepped forward politely.

Tootles hated the idea of signing under such a man, but an instinct told him that it would be prudent to lay the responsibility on an absent person; and though a somewhat silly boy, he knew that mothers alone are always willing to be the buffer.