"What's the matter, Mister?" said the aproned one, climbing up the
abominable ladder with its stairs of iron rods. Mr. Spokesly's heart
rose again.

"You English?" he asked.

"Sure, I'm a French Canadian," retorted the other. "What's the matter?
Are you the new mate?"

"Yes," said Mr. Spokesly. "I'm the new mate. Are you the bosun?"

"Sure I am," said the other indignantly. "What did you think I was? The
cook?"

"Now, now, cut it out," warned the new mate. "I've had all I can stand
just for the present. How many men have you got?"

"Three. How many did you think I got? Thirty?"

"Bosun, if you want it, you can have it, but I tell you straight you got
to help me get this ship clean."

"Sure I will. What did you think I was doin'?"

"Send a man along with a bucket of soft soap and water," said Mr.
Spokesly hastily. "I'll go round with you later."

"Where's that other mate?" asked the bosun, rather mystified.

"Over the side," said Mr. Spokesly, pointing.

"You seen the captinne yet?" the bosun pursued.

"Plenty, plenty. Send a man along."

Mr. Spokesly turned and to his intense astonishment found Captain Rannie
in the saloon.

"Why, where were you all the time?" he asked.

"In my cabin," said Captain Rannie, staring at the floor nervously. "I
must say you make noise enough when you join a ship."

"Well, Captain, I'll argue all you want later. Where's the medicine
chest?"

"In my cabin."

"Then you'll have to give me the run of it to stop this bleeding. Got
any friars' balsam?"

"I--I--I'll see. I'll see." Captain Rannie objected to be approached
directly. He was already beginning to wonder, after listening to the
very emphatic remarks of his new chief officer through the bulkhead of
his cabin, if he had not made a mistake in demanding a change. Very
unsettling, a change. He went downstairs again and unlocked his door. It
had three locks, Mr. Spokesly observed in some surprise. After opening
the door, Captain Rannie stepped through and quickly drew a heavy blue
curtain across.

"I'll bring it out to you," he said from within.

Mr. Spokesly dragged the curtain back and stepped in himself. He was
indignant at this extraordinary treatment. He was astounded, however, to
see Captain Rannie shrink away towards the settee, holding up his arms.

"Don't you dare to touch me!" he shrieked in a very low key. "Don't
you...."

Mr. Spokesly suddenly caught sight of himself in the glass across the
room. H