that our vessel would shortly be
signaled. There were several men in the inn, drinking and talking, and
all were of interest in my eyes, but one of them much more so than the
others. He was a stoutly-built, tall man of middle age, dressed in what
seemed to my eyes a very fantastic style, there being more color in his
dress than was then usual. He had a high, white forehead, over which his
jet-black hair was closely cropped, his eyes were set rather too near
together to be pleasant, his nose was long, his teeth very white and
large, and his beard, almost as black as his hair, was trimmed to a
point. As he sat and listened to the conversation around him he never
laughed, but occasionally he smiled, exposing his cruel teeth, and
reminding me of a dog that shows its fangs threateningly.

Our friend the merchant whispered to us that this gentleman was a
certain Captain Manuel Nunez, who came trading to Scarborough from
Seville. He further informed us that his ship now lay outside in the
harbor, and was a fine vessel, of very graceful proportions, and much
more beautiful to look at than our English ships, which are somewhat
squat and ugly, though not difficult to handle.

"And although he is a Spaniard," continued our friend, "this Senor Nunez
is well liked here, for he makes himself courtly and agreeable to those
who have to do with him, so that our recent relations with his country
have not prevented him from coming amongst us."

However, there was something about the man which almost made me afraid.
He reminded me of a viper which I once killed in Beechcot Woods. And
though we entered into conversation with him that night, and found him a
mightily agreeable companion, I still preserved the notion that he was a
man not to be trusted, and like to prove cruel and treacherous.

The following day, going down to the harbor-wall to see if there were
any signs of our ship, I saw my cousin engaged in close conversation
with Senor Nunez. I did not intrude myself upon them, but presently the
Spaniard, catching sight of me, came to my side, and with a courteous
salutation addressed me.

"I have been inviting your good cousin, Master Stapleton, to go aboard
my vessel yonder," said he, "and I would tender the same courtesy to
yourself, Master Salkeld. It is not often that an English country
gentleman has a chance of seeing a Spanish ship in these sad days,
unless, alack! it be in this deplorable warfare; and, therefore, I
thought y