with great rings in his ears; thus stood he rattling the dice and
smiling while his companions cursed him hoarsely.

With a twist of the hand the hairy man made his throw, and as the
three evil heads stooped above the dice, I clambered through the
window, levelled pistol in one hand, heavy staff in the other.

"What d'ye set?" quoth I. The three sprang apart and stared at
me quite chapfallen.

"What's to do?" growled one.

"First your barking-irons--lay them here on the table and quick's
the word!" One after another they drew the weapons from their
belts, and one by one I tossed them through the window.

"What!" quoth one, a lank rogue with a patch over one eye and
winking the other jovial-wise, "How now, mate o' mine, shall dog
bite dog then?"

"Aye," says I, "and with a will!"

"Nay, nay, shipmate," quoth another, a plump, small man with
round, bright eyes and but one ear, "easy now--easy. We be three
lorn mariners d'ye see--jolly dogs, bully boys, shipmate--a
little fun wi' a pretty lass--nought to harm d'ye see, sink me!
Join us and welcome, says I, share and share alike O!"

"Aye, I'll join you," quoth I, "but first--you wi' the rings--
open the door!" Here the hairy fellow growled an oath and