presently a man came lounging up
to me from the group of workers about the hatchway, and, after peering
into my face, inquired--

"Got any 'baccy about you, mate? Mine's down below in my chest, and I
haven't unlashed it yet. If you've got any, just give me a chaw, will
ye, and maybe I'll do as much for you another time."

"I am sorry to say that I have not any," I answered. "I do not use it
except in the form of a cigar now and then. But I expect my mate
Simpson on deck every moment, and I have no doubt that he will be able
to accommodate you. You are one of the new hands, shipped from the
_Bangalore_, are you not? I don't seem to remember having seen your
face before."

"No, perhaps not, and it's precious little you can see now, I should
think, unless you've got cat's eyes, and can see in the dark," was the
somewhat surly response. "Yes," he continued, "I'm Joe Maxwell, late
carpenter of the _Bangalore_, and--well, yes, `shipped' is the word, I
suppose. And pray who may _you_ be, my buck, with your dandified talk--
which, to my mind, is about as like any fo'c's'le lingo that I ever
heard as chalk is like cheese? Are all hands aboard this dashin' rover
of the same kidney as yourself?"

"Scarcely that, I think, as you seem to have already had an opportunity
of judging," I answered, laughingly, as I glanced in the direction of
the hatchway. "No," I continued, determined to sound him forthwith, as
his speech and manner seemed to indicate that he was by no means
satisfied with his changed lot, "I am a naval officer, and a prisoner, I
suppose I must call myself, although, as you see, I have the liberty of
the ship. And now, having told you thus much, I should like you to tell
me candidly, Maxwell, did you join this afternoon of your own free will,
or under compulsion?"

The man looked at me searchingly for a moment, and then said--

"Well, I suppose when a man is asked a straightforward question the best
plan is to give a straightfor'ard answer. So, mister, I don't mind
tellin' you that I j'ined because I was obliged to; 'twas either that or
a walk along a short plank."

"In fact, you joined merely to save your life," I suggested.

"Ay; pretty much as you, yourself, may have done," was the answer.

"I?" I exclaimed. "Surely, my good fellow, you do not mean to say that
you imagine me--a naval officer--to have joined this crew of thieves and
murderers?"

"Blest if I know, or care," the fellow answere