Of course I knowed as you was Martin." "And what made you go and live in the sea, Old--Bill ?" questioned Martin, "and why did you grow so big ?" [Illustration: ] "Ho, ho, ho!" laughed the giant, blowing a great cloud of spray from his lips.

"I don't mind telling you that.

You see, Martin, I ain't pressed for time.

Them blessed bells is nothing to me now, not being in the foc'sle trying to git a bit of a snooze.

Well, to begin, I were born longer ago than I can tell in a old town by the sea, and my father he were a sailor man, and was drowned when I were very small; then my mother she died just becoz every man that belonged to her was drowned.