have questioned him further he put me off thus with side answers,
until we were come to the waterside, which is called Deptford Creek.
Here, having seen the others safe embarked we took boat also, and were
soon rowing between the huge bulk of ships where dim lights burned and
whence came, ever and anon, the sound of voices, the rattle of a
hawser, a snatch of song and the like, as we paddled betwixt the vast
hulls. Presently we were beneath the towering stern of a great ship,
and glancing up at this lofty structure, brave with carved-work and
gilding, I read the name,

THE FAITHFULL FRIEND.

At a word from Adam the oars were unshipped and we glided alongside her
high-curving side where hung a ladder, up which I followed Adam
forthwith. She was a great ship (as I say) of some two hundred tons at
least, with high forecastle and lofty stern, though I saw little else
ere, at a sign from Adam I followed him down the after-gangway where,
taking a flickering lanthorn that hung from a deck-beam, he led me
'twixt a clutter of stores not yet stowed, past the grim shapes of
great ordnance, and so down and down to a noisome place beneath the
orlop.

"'Tis not over sweet, Martin," says he, "but then bilge-water never is,
you'll mind. But you'll grow used to it in time, shipmate, unless,
instead o' swallowing this unholy reek you'll swallow your pride and
'list as master's mate."

"I've no knowledge of navigation," says I.

"But I've enough for the two of us, Martin. 'Tis a comrade at my back
I need. What's the word?"

"No!" says I, mighty short.

"As you will, shipmate," he sighed, "as you will. Pride and
bilge-water go well together!" which said he brought me to a dark
unlovely hole abaft the mizzen. "'Tis none too clean, Martin," says
he, casting the light round the dingy place, "but that shall be
remedied and Godby shall bring ye bedding and the like, so although
'tis plaguy dark and wi' rats a-plenty still, despite the stench,
you'll lie snug as your pride will permit of. As for me, shipmate, I
shall scarce close an eye till we be clear o' the Downs, so 'tis a
care-full man I shall be this next two days, heigho! So good-night,
Martin, I'll send Godby below with all you lack."

Saying which Penfeather turned, and groping his way into the darkness,
left me scowling at the flickering lanthorn.

CHAPTER XV

TELLETH OF A NAMELESS BLACK SHIP

And now within my gloomy hiding-place, dim-lit by flickering l