Seriously, Dick, I can tell you that he kept this staring
business up so long that I was beginning to feel quite uncomfortable,
and had made up my mind to finish my meal as soon as possible and
continue my journey down to the docks, when I heard him give vent to a
kind of grunt, which might have expressed satisfaction, dissatisfaction,
disgust, or any other feeling for aught I could judge.

"Then, taking his eyes off me, this curious customer tugged the bell and
ordered the servant to bring him a glass of `rum hot', and a bit of cold
meat and bread; from which, when it arrived, he began to make a meal,
eating as though it were the first time he had touched food for several
days. Indeed, he ate so fast and so wolfishly, that by the time I had
finished my own meal, and had rung the bell for the bill, my piratical
friend was also pushing away his plate with a sigh of satisfaction, and
asking for his bill. Both reckonings having been paid, I was on the
point of leaving the room when the stranger, whose name I afterwards
learned was Drake--a quite appropriate name, I thought, for such a
freebooter-looking character--put out a great, hairy paw as though to
prevent me, and remarked, in a deep, rumbling voice:--

"`One moment, young gentleman. Unless you are in a great hurry I'd like
to have a word or two with you.'

"Naturally, Dick, I was a little astonished," proceeded Murray, "but I
must confess that I had become vastly interested in the little man, and,
as offers of employment sometimes come from the most unlikely sources,
like a drowning man clutching at a straw I determined to hear what he
had to say. Possibly it might lead to something; and in any case I felt
that I should do no harm by listening to him.

"`I think I can spare you a few minutes,' I remarked. `What is it you
wish to see me about?'

"`You're a seaman, aren't you?' he said, answering my question with
another.

"`Yes,' I replied, `I am.'

"`Navy man, too, unless I'm much mistaken,' was his next remark.

"`Well,' I said, rather hesitatingly, `I was a Navy man--a lieutenant--
not so very long ago, but I had the misfortune to lose my ship under
circumstances for which, I must say, in justice to myself, I think I was
hardly to blame. However, the members of the court martial took a
different view of the case, and I was, to put it bluntly, dismissed the
Service. Since then I have been looking out for other employment--
something in my own line,