below which was a lank fringe of black hair, was the only bizarre thing
she noticed about her new-found relative. He seemed to have very quick
hearing for almost instantly he swung smartly around to face her.

"Oh!" was expelled from the girl's lips, for she was as startled as
Lawford Tapp and Betty Gallup had been.

Compared with the mild-appearing, heavily whiskered Cap'n Abe, this
brother of the storekeeper was in looks what Betty had pronounced him.
His dark complexion, the long mustache, as black and glossy as a crow's
wing, the gold rings in his ears, with the red handkerchief to top it
all, made Cap'n Amazon Silt as romantic a figure as ever peered out of
a Blackbeard or a Henry Morgan legend.

There were intricate traceries on his forearms in red and blue ink;
beneath the open collar of his shirt the girl gained a glimpse of other
tattooing. There was a faint scar traced along his right jaw, almost
from ear to chin, which added a certain grimness to his expression.

Yet his was not at all a sinister face. His eyes twinkled at her
kindly--almost like Cap'n Abe's eyes--and the huge mustache lifted in a
smile.

"Ahoy!" he cried jovially. "So this is my niece, Louise, is it? Well,
to be sure! Abe didn't overpraise you. You _be_ a pretty tidy craft."

The girl dimpled, coming forward to give him her hand. As on the day
before, her hand was lost in a warm, firm clasp, while her uncle
continued to look her over with approval.