descent of a couple of steps--there
were ranged boarding pikes, muskets, cutlasses and pistols, ready for
instant use. In shape they formed stars, hearts and diamonds, dangerous
but fantastic ornaments.

The brightness of these arms, and the handy way in which they were
arranged in the sockets made to receive them, showed at once that they
were designed for use, while the various other fixtures of the cabin and
docks plainly bespoke preparation for conflict. A strong and lofty
boarding-netting being stowed, also, told of the readiness of the "Sea
Witch" to repel boarders. That all these preparations had been made
merely as ordinary precautions in a peaceful trade was by no means
probable; and yet there they were, and there stood the bright-eyed,
handsome and youthful commander upon the quarter-deck, but he did not
look the desperado--such a term would have poorly accorded with his
open and manly countenance, hie quiet and gentlemanly mien. A pirate
would hardly have dared to lay the course he steered in these latitudes,
where an English or French cruiser was very likely to cross his track.

"He handles a ship as prettily as ever a true blue did yet," said one of
the forecastle group, in replying to some remark of a comrade concerning
the commander.

"That's true," answered another; "he seems to have a sort of natural way
with him, as though he'd been born aboard and never seed the land at
all; and as to that matter, there may be them on board who say as much
of him."

"That isn't far from the truth," answered Bill Marline, "seein' he
started so arly on the sea he can't tell when he wasn't there himself."

"How was that matter, Bill?" asked one of his messmates. "They say you
have kept the captain's reckoning, man and boy, these fifteen years."

"That have I, and never a truer heart floated than the man you see
yonder leaning over the rail on the quarterdeck, where he belongs,"
answered Bill Marline.

"How did you first fall in with him, Bill?--Tell us that," said one of
the crew.

"Well, do ye see, messmates, it must have been the matter of thirteen
years ago, there or thereabouts, but I can't exactly say, seeing's I
never have kept a log and can't write; but must have been about that
length of time, when I was a foremast hand on board the 'Sea Lion,' as
fine an Indiaman as you would wish to see. We were lying in the
Liverpool docks, with sails bent and cargo stowed, under sailing orders,
when one afternoon th