fway
up the beach. In front, side by side, as each conceding no inch of
leadership, walked three men: a large man, with a villainous face much
scarred, and a huge, bushy, dark red beard; a tall dark man, with a thin
fierce face and bloodshot eyes, the Spaniard by his looks; and a slight
man, with the face and bearing of an English gentleman. The men behind
them differed no whit from the two gravediggers, being as scoundrelly of
face, as great of strength, and as curiously attired. They came straight
to the open grave, and the dead man beside it. The three who seemed of
most importance disposed themselves, still side by side, at the head of
the grave, and their following took the foot.

"It's a dirty piece of work," said Red Gil in a voice like a raven's,
"and the sooner it's done with, and we are aboard again and booming back
to the Indies, the better I'll like it. Over with him, brave boys!"

"Is it yours to give the word?" asked the slight man, who was dressed
point-device, and with a finical nicety, in black and silver. His voice
was low and clear, and of a somewhat melancholy cadence, going well with
the pensiveness of fine, deeply fringed eyes.

"Why should n't I give the word?" growled the personage addressed,
adding with an oath, "I've as good a right to give it as any man,--maybe
a better right!"

"That would be scanned," said he of the pensive eyes. "Gentlemen, we
have here the pick of the ship. For the captain that these choose, those
on board will throw up their caps. Let us bury the dead, and then let
choice be made of one of us three, each of whom has claims that might
be put forward"--He broke off and picking up a delicate shell began
to study its pearly spirals with a tender, thoughtful, half-pleased,
half-melancholy countenance.

The gravedigger with the wrought handkerchief looked from him to
the rascal crew massed at the foot of the grave, and, seeing his own
sentiments mirrored in the countenances of not a few, snatched the
bloody clout from his head, waved it, and cried out, "Paradise!"
Whereupon arose a great confusion. Some bawled for Paradise, some for
Red Gil, a few for the Spaniard. The two gravediggers locked horns, and
a brawny devil with a woman's mantle swathed about his naked shoulders
drew a knife, and made for a partisan of the Spaniard, who in his turn
skillfully interposed between himself and the attack the body of a
bawling well-wisher to Red Gil.

The man in black and silver to