alk with
Doc Bird. Also, he had an automatic pistol which he thought he
would get out and clean. He suspected that it would do no harm to
have it known that there were weapons among the "passengers."

CHAPTER VII

TRASK HAS A TALK WITH DOC BIRD

Calling Doc Bird from the galley, Trask set about putting his
things in order in his room, and sent the steward inside to open
the biggest bag, which was secured with straps.

"I reckon we better take this out, sir," suggested Doc, as he made
an effort to get the straps loose. He found it hard to work in the
narrow little room.

"No," said Trask, "open it in here." He stood in the doorway, and
let the door rest against his back, holding it partly closed with
one hand. It was his purpose to keep Doc shut in, and so be able to
question him without being overheard.

"Mighty hard to open," said Doc, down on his knees, struggling with
the straps. It was hot in the room, and rather dark, as the
deadlight to the poop-deck was fogged by sea water.

"You're new to the schooner, aren't you?" asked Trask.

"Yassir. I jus' shipped fo' the roun' trip."

"How long have you known Mr. Peth?" Trask kept his voice low, and
bent down to Doc.

"Yassir. I know Mr. Peth. I know him fo' a long time."

"Have you sailed with him before?"

"Yassir. I been along with Cap'n Jarrow an' Mr. Peth off an' on six
years. Got a key fo' this hyar satchel?"

"It isn't locked. Just press the lock to the left."

"You mighty ca'less with yo' possessions," said Doc with a chuckle.

"What sort of a man is Mr. Peth?"

"Catch me with my stuff sailin' around loose. Some o' these hyar
native trash go'n walk off wid you, bag an' baggage, if you don'
watch out, man."

"Why do you suppose Mr. Peth wanted to move out of here?"

"Oh, he's just kind o' techy."

"How do you mean?"

"Kind o' uppish. He don' git along wid nobody, nohow, Mr. Peth
don't."

"He's been with Captain Jarrow a long time, hasn't he?"

Doc turned his head sidewise and looked at Trask, and then looked
out into the main cabin, as if to make sure no one was listening
before he went on.

"A lion an' a lamb," he said, in a scared whisper.

"And Peth's the lion?"

"Yassir, you got it. Peth, he'd fight with his own gran'mother,
that man. Argue en argue en argue. He ain't fixin' to hurt nobody
when he talks, but when he stops talkin'--excuse me!"

"What does he do when he stops talking?"

"If ol' Doc Bird's on the lan'sc