n that she was a long time "out"; her sails, not yet all
furled, were old and weather-worn; her sides badly needed paint; and as
she rose and fell with the swell, she showed barnacles and "grass" below
the water-line. At her mizzen-peak flew the American ensign, and at the
fore-truck the ominous quarantine flag.

As the boat passed under the stern, the name of the vessel could be
seen--"_Fred P. Lincoln_, New York"--and a sickly brown man looked over
the side. Soon he was joined by more men, brown and yellow, who jabbered
like monkeys, but did nothing.

"Seems they've got a menag'ry aboard," commented Sartoris.

Presently a white face appeared at the side.

"Where's the captain?" asked the Health Officer.

"With the mate, who's dying."

"Then who are you?"

"Cap'n's servant."

"But where's the other mate?"

"He died a week ago."

"What's wrong on board?"

"Don't know, sir. Ten men are dead, and three are sick."

"Where are you from?"

"Canton."

"Canton? Have you got plague aboard?"

"Not bubonic. The men go off quiet and gradual, after being sick a long
time. I guess you'd better come aboard, and see for yourself."

The ladder was put over the side, and soon the doctor had clambered on
board.

The men in the boat sat quiet and full of contemplation.

"This is a good time for a smoke," said the Pilot, filling his pipe and
passing his tobacco tin forrard. "And I think, Sartoris, all hands 'd be
none the worse for another dose o' my medicine." Again his capacious
hand went into his more capacious pocket, and the key of the locker was
handed to Sartoris.

"Some foolish people are teetotal," continued Summerhayes, "and would
make a man believe as how every blessed drop o' grog he drinks shortens
his life by a day or a week, as the case may be. But give me a glass o'
liquor an' rob me of a month, rather than the plagues o' China strike me
dead to-morrer. Some folks have no more sense than barn-door fowls."

A yellow man, more loquacious than his fellows, had attracted the
attention of Sartoris.

"Heh! John. What's the name of your skipper?"

The Chinaman's reply was unintelligible. "I can make nothing of him,"
said Sartoris. But, just at that moment, the man who had described
himself as the captain's servant reappeared at the side of the ship.

"My man," said Summerhayes, "who's your captain?"

"Cap'n Starbruck."

"Starbruck!" exclaimed Sartoris. "I know him." In a moment he was
half-way up