and bold Robin Hood.
There is Amyas Leigh, old Salvation Yeo, and that lovely rascal Long
John Silver. And there, too, is King Arthur, with his Knights of the
Round Table--but the throng is very great, and who could name them all?

So the Imp and I sailed away into this wonderful world of romance
aboard our gallant vessel, which, like any other pirate ship that ever
existed--in books or out of them--"luffed, and filling upon another
tack, stood away in pursuit of the Spanish treasure galleon in the
offing."

What pen could justly describe the fight which followed--how guns
roared and pistols flashed, while the air was full of shouts and cries
and the thundering din of battle; how Scarlet Sam foamed and stamped
and flourished his cutlass; how Timothy Bone piped his whistle as a
bo'sun should? We had already sunk five great galleons and were hard
at work with a sixth, which was evidently in a bad way, when Scarlet
Sam ceased foaming and pointed over my shoulder with his dripping blade.

"Sail ho!" he cried.

"Where away?" I called back.

"Three points on the weather bow." As he spoke came the sound of oars,
and turning my head, I saw a skiff approaching, sculled by a man in
irreproachable flannels and straw hat.

"Why, it's--it's him!" cried the Imp suddenly. "Heave to, there!" he
bellowed in the voice of Scarlet Sam. "Heave to, or I'll sink you with
a 'murderous broadside!'" Almost with the words, and before I could
prevent him, he gave a sharp tug to the rudder lines; there was an
angry exclamation behind me, a shock, a splintering of wood, and I
found myself face to face with Mr. Selwyn, flushed and hatless.

"Damn!" said Mr. Selwyn, and proceeded to fish for his hat with the
shaft of his broken oar.

The Imp sat for a moment half frightened at his handiwork, then rose to
his feet, cutlass in hand, but I punted him gently back into his seat
with my foot.

"Really," I began, "I'm awfully sorry, you know--er--"

"May I inquire," said Mr. Selwyn cuttingly, as he surveyed his dripping
hat--"may I inquire how it all happened?"

"A most deplorable accident, I assure you. If I can tow you back I
shall be delighted, and as for the damage--"

"The damage is trifling, thanks," he returned icily; "it is the delay
that I find annoying."

"You have my very humblest apologies," I said meekly. "If I can be of
any service--" Mr. Selwyn stopped me with a wave of his hand.

"Thank you, I think I can manage,"