e he smoked was Cap'n Abe's--Lawford
recognized it.

There was not, however, another thing about this man to remind one of
the old storekeeper. This stranger was burned to a rich mahogany hue.
Not alone his shaven face, but his bared forearms and his chest where
the shirt was left unbuttoned seemed stained by the tropical sun.
Under jet-black brows the eyes that gazed upon Lawford Tapp seemed dark.

His sweeping mustache was black; and such hair as was visible showed
none of the iron gray of advancing age in it. He wore gold rings in
his ears and to cap his piratical-looking figure was a red bandana worn
turbanwise upon his head.

"What's the matter with you, young feller? Cat got your tongue?"
demanded the stranger.

"Well, of all things!" finally gasped Lawford. "I thought you were
Cap'n Abe. But you're not. You must be Cap'n Amazon Silt."

"That's who I be," agreed the other.

"His brother!"

"Ain't much like Abe, eh?" and Cap'n Amazon smiled widely.

"Only your voice. That is a little like Cap'n Abe's. Well, I
declare!" repeated Lawford, coming deliberately up the steps.

Cap'n Amazon rose briskly and led the way into the store. The fog was
clearing with swiftness and a ray of sunlight slanted through a dusty
window with sufficient strength to illumine the shelves behind the
counter.

"Those boxes yonder are where Cap'n Abe keeps his fishhooks. But isn't
he here?"

"He's off," Cap'n Amazon replied. "Up anchor'd and sailed 'bout soon's
I come. Been ready to go quite a spell, I shouldn't wonder. Had his
chest all packed and sent it to the depot by a wagon. Walked over
himself airly to ketch the train. These the hooks, son?"

"But where's he _gone_?"

"On a v'y'ge," replied Cap'n Amazon. "Why shouldn't he? Seems he's
been lashed here, tight and fast, for c'nsider'ble of a spell. He and
this store of hisn was nigh 'bout spliced. I don't see how he _has_
weathered it so long."

"Gone away!" murmured Lawford.

Cap'n Amazon eyed him with a tilt to his head and possibly a twinkle of
amusement in his eye. "Young man, what's your name?" he asked bluntly.
Lawford told him. "Wal, it strikes me," Cap'n Amazon said, "that your
tops'ls air slattin' a good deal. You ain't on the wind."

"I am upset, I declare!"

"Sure you got the right hooks this time?"

"Yes. I believe so."

"Then if your _Merry Andrew_--what is she, cat-rigged or----"

"Sloop."

"Then if your _Merry Andrew_ sloo