t was
any business of the Greeks, and after Mohammed's hint as to their
character they resented the inquiry as a piece of impudence.

"How do you know which is our ship?" said Charley, in Irish fashion
asking another question, in lieu of answering the one addressed to him;
"and if you do, whether she wants hands or not?"

He spoke rather uncivilly, but the man replied to him with studied
politeness.

"I beg your pardon, sir," said he, "but the _Muscadine_ is the only
English ship in the harbour, and any one who has travelled like myself
could easily tell the nationality of yourself and your friend. I am
aware, also, that several of your crew are laid up in hospital."

"And supposing such is the case," said Tom Aldridge, taking up the
cudgels, "what then?"

"Only, sir," replied the man, even more obsequiously than before, "I and
several others here, who are in want of a ship, would be glad to sign
articles with you."

"The others you mention are Greeks like yourself, I suppose?" inquired
Tom, still brusquely, as if he did not care whether he offended his
interlocutor or not.

"Yes, sir," said the man, "but my countrymen are generally reckoned to
make good sailors, and ship in all sorts of vessels to all parts of the
world."

"That may be," answered Tom, who hardly knew what to say, "but it is no
concern of mine. You had better speak to Captain Harding about the
matter; we can't engage you."

"No?" said the man with a half sneer, half smile on his face, and he
seemed about to say something nasty; but he altered his mind before he
uttered the words, and completed his sentence with another civil
inquiry, at which neither Tom nor Charley could take offence. "And,
where can I and my friends see the captain, sir?"

"On board, any time before ten in the morning or after sunset in the
evening," said Tom curtly.

He didn't like the man, but he was at a loss how he could put him off in
any other way.

"Thank you, sir, I'm deeply obliged for your condescension," said the
Greek, who then regained his comrades, and the group presently walked
out of the khan.

"Bismillah!" ejaculated Mohammed as soon as the Greeks had disappeared.
"Can I believe my eyes? That scoundrel has got the impudence of
Sheitan, and must be in league with the spirits of Eblis."

"Who is he? do you know him?" eagerly asked Tom and Charley almost in
one breath of the Turk, who exhibited all the appearance of stupefied
astonishment.

"Mas