. The latter two items were
the most prominent, for there were hundreds of watches, and apparently
thousands of speaking trumpets. They stood in rows on the shelves, and
depended in ranks from hooks and nails. Most of them were of silver or
of silver gilt; and they were plain, chased, engraved, hammered, or
repoussed, with always an ample space for inscription. After Johnny had
concluded a satisfactory arrangement for his diamond, I remarked on the
preponderance of speaking trumpets. The man grinned rather maliciously
at our captain.

"They are a very favourite article for presentation by grateful
passengers after a successful sea trip," he said smoothly.

At this our captain exploded.

"Are they?" he boomed. "I should think they were! I've got a dozen of
the confounded things; and as I've just got in from a trip, I'm
expecting another any minute. Good Lord!" he cried as a group of men
turned in at the door. "Here come some of my passengers now. Come along,
let's get out of this!"

He dragged us out a back door into a very muddy back alley, whence we
floundered to dry land with some difficulty.

"That was a narrow escape!" he cried, wiping his brow. "Let's go get a
drink. I know the best place."

He led us to a very ornate saloon whose chief attraction was the fact
that its ceiling was supported on glass pillars! We duly admired this
marvel; and then wandered over to the polished mahogany bar, where we
were joined by the half dozen loafers who had been lounging around the
place. These men did not exactly join us, but they stood expectantly
near. Nor were they disappointed.

"Come, let's all take a drink, boys!" cried the captain heartily.

They named and tossed off their liquor, and then without a word of
farewell or thanks shambled back to their roosting places.

"What's the matter, Billy?" demanded the captain, looking about
curiously. "Where's your usual crowd?"

"They're all down at the Verandah," replied the barkeeper, passing a
cloth over the satiny wood of the bar. "Dorgan's got a girl tending bar.
Pays her some ungodly wages; and he's getting all the crowd. He'd better
make the most of it while it lasts. She won't stay a week."

"Why not?" I asked curiously.

"Married; sure," replied the barkeeper briefly.

"And the glass pillars will always be here; eh, Billy?" suggested the
captain. "Nevertheless I believe we'll just wander down and look her
over."

"Sure," said Billy indifferently; "that's w