or the
breakfast-gong; a few, finding themselves disturbed by the slow and even
motion of the ship, bundled themselves up in their steamer-chairs and
hoped that nature would soon readjust itself. Then the gong sounded, and
the deck was deserted, except by the bundled-up occupants of the chairs,
to whom the solicitous deck-steward brought, more or less vainly,
various light articles of food.

An hour later, the decks were full again. From the upper deck came the
clack of shuffle-board; on the promenade deck the chairs were full of
novel-readers, and little groups here and there were making each other's
acquaintance. The life of shipboard had begun.

On the boat-deck, various passengers, singly or in twos and threes,
paused to listen to the crackle of electricity which came from the
little wireless-house. The door was closed, but by standing on tiptoe
they could see over the screen at the window, and catch a glimpse of a
blond young man, with a receiver clamped over both ears, bending above
his key, from which came a series of vicious-looking sparks. The sound
was vaguely disquieting, suggesting lightning to the more timid, or some
strange and dangerous force of nature not to be trifled with, so most of
them preferred to descend again to the upper promenade, or to sit down
some distance away. Presently two men climbed the ladder from the deck
below, and looked about them.

"Let us sit here," said the younger of them, in German, and motioned
toward a bench which had been built against the cabin.

"Very well, Your...." He stopped himself abruptly. "It is difficult to
break oneself of a long habit," he said, with a little laugh; and,
waiting for the other to seat himself, sat down beside him.

They lighted cigarettes and sat for a moment without speaking.

There was a considerable difference in the ages of the two. One was past
middle-age, heavily-built, and with a face bronzed as only years of
exposure to wind and rain could bronze it. His upper lip was a shade or
two lighter than the rest of his face, and spoke of a moustache recently
removed. The other man had also an outdoor look, but he had not been
hardened by long service as his companion had. He was softer, more
effeminate. He seemed to be not over twenty-one or two, was tall, a
little too much inclined to plumpness, but with an open and ingenuous
countenance, lighted by a pair of honest blue eyes.

"It is good," said the older man, at last, speaking in German