penter and his
mates--there and then to repair damages. Ha, a man o' mark is Captain
Adam, pal."

"Godby," says I, "did ye chance to see aught of a boat carrying a great
bundle in the stern-sheets and rowed by a man in a red cap?"

"Nary a blink, Mart'n--why?"

"I'm wondering what came of that same bundle--"

"Hove overboard belike, pal--there's many a strange thing goes
a-floating out to sea from hereabouts, Mart'n--drownd me!"

"Belike you're right!" says I.

"Mart'n, Sir Rupert's ashore to meet her ladyship, so you'm free to
come 'bove deck if so minded?"

"Nay, I'll bide where I am, Godby."

"Why then come, Mart'n, clap your eye on my beauties--here's guns,
Mart'n, six culverins and t'others sakers, and yonder astern two
basilisks as shall work ye death and destruction at two or three
thousand paces; 'bove deck amidships I've divers goodly pieces as
minions, falcons and patereros with murderers mounted aft to sweep the
waist. For her size she's well armed is the 'Faithful Friend,' Mart'n!"

Thus Godby, as he led me from gun to gun slapping hand on breech or
trunnion, and as I hearkened 'twas hard to recognise the merry peddler
in this short, square, grave-faced gunner who spake with mariner's
tongue, hitched ever and anon at the broad belt of his galligaskins,
and rolled in his gait already.

"She's a fair ship!" says I, seating myself on one of the great guns
mounted astern.

"She is so, Mart'n. There's no finer e'er sailed from Deptford Pool,
which is saying much, split me if it isn't. Though, when all's said,
Martin, I could wish for twenty more men to do justice to my noble
guns, aye thirty at the least."

"Are we so short?"

"We carry but ninety and two all told, pal, which considering my guns
is pity--aye, vast pity, plague me else! 'Twould leave me shorthanded
to serve my guns should they be necessary, which is fair and likely,
Martin."

"And black rogues they are!" says I.

"Never clapped eyes on worse, pal, kick me endwise else! But Captain
Adam's the man for such and I mean to work 'em daily, each and every,
at my guns as soon as we be well at sea. Ah, there soundeth Toby
Hudd's pipe--all hands on deck--this should be her ladyship coming
aboard. So here's me aloft and you alow, and good luck to both, pal."
Saying which he nodded, gave a hitch to his wide galligaskins and
rolled away. Now coming to the gun-port I have mentioned I must needs
pause there awhile to look out across