n allude to it was what surprised our Mr.
Powell. This was by no means the first occasion. More like the
twentieth rather. And in his weak voice, with his monotonous intonation,
leaning over the rail and looking at the water the other continued this
conversation, or rather his remarks, remarks of such a monstrous nature
that Mr. Powell had no option but to accept them for gruesome jesting.

"For instance," said Mr. Smith, "that mate, Franklin, I believe he would
just as soon see us both overboard as not."

"It's not so bad as that," laughed Mr. Powell, feeling uncomfortable,
because his mind did not accommodate itself easily to exaggeration of
statement. "He isn't a bad chap really," he added, very conscious of Mr.
Franklin's offensive manner of which instances were not far to seek.
"He's such a fool as to be jealous. He has been with the captain for
years. It's not for me to say, perhaps, but I think the captain has
spoiled all that gang of old servants. They are like a lot of pet old
dogs. Wouldn't let anybody come near him if they could help it. I've
never seen anything like it. And the second mate, I believe, was like
that too."

"Well, he isn't here, luckily. There would have been one more enemy,"
said Mr. Smith. "There's enough of them without him. And you being here
instead of him makes it much more pleasant for my daughter and myself.
One feels there may be a friend in need. For really, for a woman all
alone on board ship amongst a lot of unfriendly men . . . "

"But Mrs Anthony is not alone," exclaimed Powell. "There's you, and
there's the . . . "

Mr. Smith interrupted him.

"Nobody's immortal. And there are times when one feels ashamed to live.
Such an evening as this for instance."

It was a lovely evening; the colours of a splendid sunset had died out
and the breath of a warm breeze seemed to have smoothed out the sea. Away
to the south the sheet lightning was like the flashing of an enormous
lantern hidden under the horizon. In order to change the conversation
Mr. Powell said:

"Anyway no one can charge you with being a Jonah, Mr. Smith. We have had
a magnificent quick passage so far. The captain ought to be pleased. And
I suppose you are not sorry either."

This diversion was not successful. Mr. Smith emitted a sort of bitter
chuckle and said: "Jonah! That's the fellow that was thrown overboard by
some sailors. It seems to me it's very easy at sea to get rid of a
person