At length, holding out his mighty arms towards Martin, he opened his great, cod-fish mouth, and burst into a hoarse laugh, which sounded like the deep laughter-like cries of the big, black-backed gulls.

Still, Martin did not feel at all afraid of him, for he looked good-natured and friendly.
"Who are you ?" shouted Martin at last.
"Who be I ?" returned the man-shaped monster in a hoarse, sea-like voice.

"Ho, ho, ho,--now I calls that a good un! Why, little Martin, that I've knowed all along, I be Bill.

Leastways, that's what they called me afore: but I got promotion, and in consekence I'm called the Old Man of the Sea." "And how did you know I was Martin ?" "How did I know as you was Martin?
Why, bless your innocent heart, I knowed it all along of course.

How d'ye think I wouldn't know that?
Why, I no sooner saw you there among them rocks than I says to myself, 'Hullo,' says I, bless my eyes if that ain't Martin looking at my cows, as I calls 'em.