mself cunningly in the rigging of the
foremast, seating himself on the royal yard, and hugging the mast
lovingly with his arms and legs, he found himself unable to budge, or
even see what was going on below, by reason of the dizziness which
afflicted him. How he had got up so far, and managed to cut the ropes
behind him, he never could explain. But a man will do desperate feats
for his life's sake.

It was no light task to dislodge him. With my maimed arm I could not
haul myself up the rigging even to the lower top-yard, much less carry
up to him his dangling ladder. All I could do was to hail him and bid
him be of good cheer till we had him down.

"Cheer," he cried, "cometh not in a voice from the void, neither is
there help in empty breath. Come up, for I am weary of my perch; and
verily, if the mountain come not to Mahomet, the prophet must abase
himself to the mountain. In short, my man, I am near tumbling."

"Hold on," cried I. "I shall fetch help and all will be safe."

"Oh, that the giants would pile Pelion on Ossa and get me out of this
heaven!" I heard him say. Methought, however, the fellow could not yet
be in desperate straits to talk thus.

At last the seaman scrambled up and fetched him down, not without many
protestations and caveats by the way. Once down, however, he shook his
fluttered plumes, and crowed like any chanticleer.

"_Facilis descensus Averni_, as our Maro hath it. As the muse droppeth
from the heights, and the golden shower descendeth, so visit I once more
the Arcadian plains. Which remindeth me, where is my Danae, and how
fareth she? Apprise her, I pray you, of my return. And, by the way,"
added he, puffing himself valiantly, "where is the varlet that late
sought my life. He and I must settle scores before this night be an
hour older. Fetch him hither and by my--"

"See here, Sir Popinjay," said Ludar, coming forward impatiently, and
cutting the speech in twain, "the time is gone past for this fooling.
If you be a man, you may prove it now. If not, on my soul, you shall go
aloft again. Come, you share this watch with me. Put some food into
your body, and then keep sharp look-out ahead. You see the entire crew
of this vessel, save the two women; therefore, cease to be half a man
and make yourself two."

The fellow turned pale at this news, and cast a glance up and down the
empty ship. Then, without a word, he took up half a loaf and a mug of
beer from the cabin t