He entered into his new work with such energy and enthusiasm that by the end of the week he knew every man below the cabin deck.

So expeditious did he become that he found many idle moments in which to cultivate acquaintances.
His chosen companion at these times was a boy in the steerage, selected not for congeniality, but for his unlimited knowledge of all things terrestrial, from the easiest way of making a fortune to the best way of spending it.

He was a short, heavy-set fellow of some eighteen years.

His hair grew straight up from an overhanging forehead, under which two small eyes seemed always to be furtively watching each other over the bridge of his flat snub nose.

His lips met with difficulty across large, irregular teeth.