untenance
relaxed, and he at once extended his open hand and squeezed that of the
outlaw in a formidable grasp.

"Nay," he said, "I cannot mind you. But what o' that? I would drink
with any man, gossip, and so would my man Tom. Man Tom," he added,
addressing his follower, "here is my gossip, whose name I cannot mind,
but no doubt a very good seaman. Let's go drink with him and his shore
friend."

Lawless led the way, and they were soon seated in an alehouse, which, as
it was very new, and stood in an exposed and solitary station, was less
crowded than those nearer to the centre of the port. It was but a shed
of timber, much like a blockhouse in the backwoods of to-day, and was
coarsely furnished with a press or two, a number of naked benches, and
boards set upon barrels to play the part of tables. In the middle, and
besieged by half a hundred violent draughts, a fire of wreck-wood blazed
and vomited thick smoke.

"Ay, now," said Lawless, "here is a shipman's joy--a good fire and a good
stiff cup ashore, with foul weather without and an off-sea gale a-snoring
in the roof! Here's to the Good Hope! May she ride easy!"

"Ay," said Skipper Arblaster, "'tis good weather to be ashore in, that is
sooth. Man Tom, how say ye to that? Gossip, ye speak well, though I can
never think upon your name; but ye speak very well. May the Good Hope
ride easy! Amen!"

"Friend Dickon," resumed Lawless, addressing his commander, "ye have
certain matters on hand, unless I err? Well, prithee be about them
incontinently. For here I be with the choice of all good company, two
tough old shipmen; and till that ye return I will go warrant these brave
fellows will bide here and drink me cup for cup. We are not like
shore-men, we old, tough tarry-Johns!"

"It is well meant," returned the skipper. "Ye can go, boy; for I will
keep your good friend and my good gossip company till curfew--ay, and by
St. Mary, till the sun get up again! For, look ye, when a man hath been
long enough at sea, the salt getteth me into the clay upon his bones; and
let him drink a draw-well, he will never be quenched."

Thus encouraged upon all hands, Dick rose, saluted his company, and going
forth again into the gusty afternoon, got him as speedily as he might to
the Goat and Bagpipes. Thence he sent word to my Lord Foxham that, so
soon as ever the evening closed, they would have a stout boat to keep the
sea in. And then leading along with him a coupl