's stateroom, hoarse and halting, but affectionate withal.

"Yes, ma, it's me. Just going down to the boat to see what's going on. I
wouldn't get up, just yet, if I were you. Going to be bad weather!"

In fact, daylight was now breaking, and along the horizon where the
water darkened to a strip of black, another band, of faint livid light,
was stretching. The sky was still overcast, and a thick fog was coming
up the shore, softening the edges on trees and boats and houses, dimly
visible in the brightening twilight.

"Well, one more glass, and that will do." And the Rector passed a
calloused hand over his sister's cold cheek. "Good-by, girl! But
remember what I say, you're the only decent woman in the Cabanal. It's
your brother talking, Roseta. The only decent woman in the Cabanal, yes!
And if a man asks you to marry him, say 'no,' say 'no.'"

Pascualo was whistling unconcernedly as he sauntered up to the
_Mayflower_. You would have thought him the happiest man on earth, but
for the yellowish glitter in his eyes, that seemed to be bulging from
their sockets in his red face flushed with alcohol. In a conspicuous
position on deck, and standing up full height to advertise the fact
that he was there, Tonet was in full view--at his feet the white pack
that had just been having such a dance of it through the dark streets of
the Cabanal.

"Hello, Pascualo!" he called, the moment he spied his brother, at much
pains apparently to start a conversation and dispel any suspicion the
Rector might have. And could you beat that for impudence, the sneaking
weasel! But before the Rector, who felt all the wild rage of a few hours
previous boiling up anew, could answer, a crowd of sailors and skippers
came running up. "What do you think of it, Pascualo?" they were calling.
"Going to blow, do you think?" And they gathered around him, but without
taking their eyes off the horizon. There was a scowl in that sky! Crazy
to think of going out! And just their luck! Of course, it had to come
then, when the fish were as thick as fleas outside, and you could pick
them up with your hands! But after all, a man's hide is of more account
than a dollar! They all agreed. Dirty weather ahead! Nothing to do but
stick to cover.

But not so Pascualo. "Stick to cover, eh! Well, you fellows can stay
ashore if you want to, and twirl your fingers. I'm going out, and right
now. I never saw a blow yet that would keep me home, when I'd made up my
mind to go. Th