uaint manners and mode of expression, and
the interminable string of yarns that he spun, he kept them continuously
at the high-water level of hilarity. He possessed in a very high degree
the faculty of telling a story humorously; he even contrived to infuse a
certain measure of humour into the relation of his most recent
misfortunes; and, finding himself in touch with a thoroughly
appreciative audience, he appeared to throw himself heart and soul into
the task of entertaining them, by way of repayment of their hospitality.
And when, presently, they began to grow somewhat accustomed to his
singularities of manner and speech, and their sensitiveness to it had
begun to wear off, they told themselves and each other that, queer fish
as he was, he was "not half a bad sort."

The only quality, indeed, in him that still continued to jar upon them
was his phenomenal inquisitiveness. He appeared not to know the meaning
of rudeness or impertinence; he sought to pry into everything, and
seemed genuinely surprised and puzzled when Sir Reginald somewhat curtly
yet courteously excused himself from complying with his request to be
shown all over the ship, and have everything explained to him. Yet it
was almost impossible to feel angry with him, because he appeared to be
so overwhelmingly grateful for his deliverance from imprisonment upon
that mere speck of an out-of-the-way, inhospitable islet that he was
always talking about it, always striving to give expression to his
gratitude in some way or other. To such an extent was this the case,
indeed, that it quickly became embarrassing, almost to the extent of
annoyance, to the rest of the party. There was nothing they did that he
did not want to assist in; and they found the utmost difficulty in
making him understand that they would really prefer that he did not take
his turn with the others at the night-watches in the pilot-house.

They quickly realised that it would be quite impossible for them to
preserve from him the secret of the nature of their operations at the
pearl-island; they therefore made a virtue of necessity, and frankly
told him all about the matter, merely retaining the position of the
island from him. As might be expected, he exhibited the utmost interest
in their plans; promptly demanded to be made useful in the carrying out
of their operations, and--also as might be expected--betrayed no
diffidence about making the suggestion that he should be permitted to
shar