"But where's he _gone_?"

"On a v'y'ge," replied Cap'n Amazon. "Why shouldn't he? Seems he's
been lashed here, tight and fast, for c'nsider'ble of a spell. He and
this store of hisn was nigh 'bout spliced. I don't see how he _has_
weathered it so long."

"Gone away!" murmured Lawford.

Cap'n Amazon eyed him with a tilt to his head and possibly a twinkle of
amusement in his eye. "Young man, what's your name?" he asked bluntly.
Lawford told him. "Wal, it strikes me," Cap'n Amazon said, "that your
tops'ls air slattin' a good deal. You ain't on the wind."

"I am upset, I declare!"

"Sure you got the right hooks this time?"

"Yes. I believe so."

"Then if your _Merry Andrew_--what is she, cat-rigged or----"

"Sloop."

"Then if your _Merry Andrew_ sloop's a-waiting for you, _that's_ the
way out," said Cap'n Amazon coolly, pointing with his pipestem to the
door. "Come again--when you want to buy anything in Abe's stock. Good
day!"

Lawford halted a moment at the door to look back at the bizarre figure