or all 'e ain't no bigger nor a Portagee man-o-war. A dog! Swiggle
me stiff, that's a squarehead for you!"

He ended with a snort. Martin hastened to assure him that without
doubt Little Billy was a most proper lad.

The big man received the amends with dignity. His warlike attitude
forsook him. He drooped over his beer and mused darkly. He seemed
oppressed by the denseness of "squarehead" stupidity; he appeared
desolated by the absence of the beloved Little Billy. Martin observed
two big tears roll out of the corners of the other's eyes, course down
the sides of his nose and splash into the goblet of beer. The man
exuded gloom.

Martin seized his first chance to take stock of the fellow. He
gathered an impression of size and redness. Why, the man must stand
six feet and a half in his boots! A son of Anak! And his head--no
wonder the man had temper. He was afire. A red face, a red mustache
that bristled, a thatch of brick-red hair that protruded from beneath a
blue, peaked cap. His suit was of pilot cloth, and he wore a guernsey.
He was unmistakably a sailor--both words and appearance bespoke the
seaman. Martin was surprised to encounter such a specimen in this
remote section of the city, miles distant from the waterfront.

The despondent one aroused himself. His mooning gaze appeared to
encounter the glass of beer for the first time. He swept the goblet to
his lips and drained it at a gulp. He seemed cheered and refreshed.

"Fill 'em up again," he rumbled at Johnny. "And set one afore my
friend, 'ere," he added, with a wide sweep of arm toward Martin.

Martin was interested. He grasped the opportunity to re-open the
conversation.

"Too bad you lost him," he ventured diplomatically. "But it is
probable he will turn up all right, isn't it?"

The big man nodded gloomily.

"Ow, yes, 'e'll turn up all right tomorrow. Safe and sound, 'e'll
sleep tonight--bleedin' safe and sound. 'E'll be in jail. That's the
kind o' sport Little Billy is--can't 'ave a nice quiet time like me.
In jail, 'e'll be. Ow, swiggle me, I'm in a proper fix!"

"Why, things are not so bad," said Martin. "If you know where he will
be in the morning, you can bail him out."

"In the morning! Bail 'im out!" exclaimed the other. "We can't wait
till no morning! We got to be aboard tonight, we 'ave! Ow, Lord,
what'll I say to the blessed mate?"

"Oh, I see, you must return to your ship tonight," commented Martin.
He