him there, smiling up in an obliging way, and Plymouth bells behind
him all sounding to Church together for Christmas. 'Same to you,
Cap'n!' he called out, and sheered off with a wave o' the hand,
having made the boat fast astern.

"I stared after him for a bit, and then I turned my attention to the
_Maid in Two Minds_. Her boat, too, lay astern of her; and one of
her crew was already on deck, swabbin' down. After a bit, another
showed up. But Dog Mitchell made no appearance.

"Nat'rally enough my thoughts ran on him durin' breakfast; and, when
'twas done, I dressed myself and pulled over to inquire. By this
time all three of his mates were on deck, and as I pulled close they
drew together--much as to ask what I wanted.

"'I came across,' says I, 'to ask after the boss. Is he all right
this morning?'

"'Why not?' asked one o' the men, suspicious-like, with a glance at
the others. They were all pretty yellow in the gills after their
night ashore.

"'What's up?' says Dog Mitchell's own voice on top o' this: and the
man heaved himself on deck and looked down on me.

"'It's the skipper of the _Early and Late_,' said one of the fellows
grinning; 'as seems to say he has the pleasure o' your acquaintance.'

"'Does he?' said Dog Mitchell slowly, chewing. The man's eyes were
bleared yet, but the drink had gone out of him with his shock: or the