"I'm very much obliged to you for all this," he said. "I'm glad to have
made your acquaintance, and I hope we shall see each other often."

"Same here!" said the Captain heartily. "We're likely to git together
once in a while, seein' as we're next-door neighbors, right across the
road, as you might say. That's my berth over yonder, where you see them
lights. It's jest 'round the corner from the road we drove down last.
Good-night! Good luck to you!"

And he settled himself for the row home.



CHAPTER III

THE "COME-OUTERS'" MEETING


The house where the three Captains lived was as near salt water as it
could be and remain out of reach of the highest tides. When Captain Eri,
after beaching and anchoring his dory and stabling Daniel for the night,
entered the dining room he found his two messmates deep in consultation,
and with evidences of strenuous mental struggle written upon their
faces. Captain Perez's right hand was smeared with ink and there were
several spatters of the same fluid on Captain Jerry's perspiring nose.
Crumpled sheets of note paper were on the table and floor, and Lorenzo,
who was purring restfully upon the discarded jackets of the two
mariners, alone seemed to be enjoying himself.