Page 249 (1/2)

Mr Powell expressed a polite incredulity The thick, congestedwith despondency "That was bad exaerous company,here Drank to forget

Thought it a great dodge"

Powell looked at the grotesque Franklin with awakened interest and with

that half-amused sympathy hich we receive unprovoked confidences

from men e have no sort of affinity And at the same time he

began to look upon hie And

the mate continued: "If it hadn't been for the old lady, I would have gone to the devil I

re an old lady to look after to

steady a chap and s But as bad luck would have it,

Captain Anthony has noto hi to me of a

sister But she's married She don't need him Yes In the old days

he used to talk to erated the mate

sentimentally "'Franklin,'--he would say--'this ship is ainst est in the world' That's how he used to

speak to me Can I turn my back on him? He has turned his back on his

ship; that's what it has come to He has no one now but his old

Franklin But what's a fellow to do to put things back as they were and

should be Should be--I say!"

His starting eyes had a terrible fixity Mr Powell's irresistible

thought, "he resembles a boiled lobster in distress," was followed by

annoyance "Good Lord," he said, "you don't mean to hint that Captain

Anthony has fallen into bad company What is it you want to save him

from?"

"I do mean it," affirmed the mate, and the very absurdity of the

statement made it impressive--because it seemed so absolutely audacious

"Well, you have a cheek," said young Powell, feeling mentally helpless

"I have a notion the captain would half kill you if he were to kno