h are always to be
found in the immediate vicinity of shipping, or sitting about on the
wharf stringers, fishing, had been driven away by the inclemency of the
weather, or were gathered in small parties in the bars of the numerous
public-houses near by. Now and then a seaman would be seen either
returning to his ship or hurrying along the wharf towards the city with
his coat collar turned up to his ears, and his hands thrust into the
capacious pockets of his heavy jacket; the whole scene was miserable
and depressing.

Presently a policeman appeared, walking slowly along under the shelter
of the warehouse walls. He too was enjoying the luxury of a pipe, for
there was no danger of running across the sergeant on such a day as
this. As he drew near to the man who was sitting down he gave him a
quick but apparently careless glance--a wharf policeman has a natural
distrust of a man who keeps hanging about the stores and warehouses,
doing nothing, or standing out in the open, exposed to the rain. But
the guardian of the peace was satisfied that the object of his brief
scrutiny was no loafer or possible burglar, and bade him a civil
"Good-day," to which the man at once responded.

"It's beastly weather, isn't it?" said the official, as he leant
against the wall, evidently disposing himself for a chat.

"It is indeed," replied the other, "and it's getting dirtier still over
there to the south-east."

"That's pleasant for me. I don't get relieved until midnight, and this
beat here is none too pleasant a one on a dark night, believe me."

"So I should imagine. I'll be glad to get back into the city as soon
as I can; but I'm waiting here to see if I can get aboard that little
brig over there. Do you know her name?"

"Yes. She's the _Mahina_, a South Sea trader. But I don't see how you
can get off to her, there's no waterman here, and none of her boats
will come ashore--I can tell you that much for certain. The captain is
on shore looking for men, and those who are aboard won't be given a
chance to put foot in a boat."

"Why, anything gone wrong aboard?"

"Rather! There's been a lot of trouble with the men, though there
hasn't been any court work over it. The captain and mate are holy
terrors--regular brutes, I'm told. Six of the hands swam ashore a few
nights ago and got clean away, poor beggars. You ain't thinking of
joining her, are you?"

"Indeed I am. I want a ship pretty badly. I'm broke."

"Well,