ourself, shipmate, if 'tis only vengeance ye seek, vengeance let it
be, though, when all's done, 'tis but wind--hist! Here cometh the
Bo'sun--come in, Jo lad, come in! 'Twas trusty Joel Bym here gave me my
first lesson in navigation--eh, Jo?"

"Aye, Cap'n," growled the hairy giant, "by cock, them was the days, a
fair wind, a quick eye an' no favour, aye, them was the days, by
cock's-body!" So saying, he placed a flask of wine on the table,
together with a curious silver cup, and (at a sign from Penfeather)
left us together.

"And now, comrade," says Penfeather, filling the goblet, "draw up your
chair and do as I do."

And now as we sat facing each other (across the table) Penfeather turns
back his left sleeve and, whipping out a knife, nicked himself
therewith on the wrist and squeezed thence a few drops of blood into
the wine; which done, he passed the knife to me and I (though misliking
the extravagance of the thing) nevertheless did the same.

"Martin," says he, "give me your hand--so! Now swear as I do!" And
thus, clasping each other's hands, we swore the oath of brotherhood;
and this as followeth, viz."

(1) To keep ever each other's counsel.

(2) To aid each other in all things against all men soever.

(3) To cherish and comfort each other in every adversity.

(4) To be faithful each to each unto the death.

Thereafter, at his command, I drank of the wine wherein our blood was
mingled and he did the like.

"And now," says he, leaning back in his chair and viewing me with his
pensive smile, "since we be brothers and comrades sworn, how d'ye like
me now?"

"Better than I did," says I, speaking on impulse, "for sure you are the
strangest picaroon that ever cheated the gallows."

"Ah," says he, pinching his chin, "an I am neither hanged nor murdered
you shall one day find me a worshipful magistrate, Martin, Justice o'
the Peace and quorum--custos rotulorum and the rest on't, there my
ambition lies. As for you, Martin, Lord Wendover, there is your enemy,
ha?--bloody vengeance and murder and what beside?"

"That is mine own concern!" I retorted angrily. "And look 'ee, since
comrades we are, you will forget who and what I am!"

"Why so I have, Martin, so I have. Art a poor, destitute rogue that
might be a man and rich but for this vengeful maggot i' thy brain.
Howbeit thou'rt my comrade sworn and brother-in-arms and as such I
shall trust thee--to the death, Martin."

"And shall find me worthy