he doesn't seem to be contented with that." Then, after a pause, "I brung him with me. 'T want safe to[Pg 17] leave him, for the jail door sags so I can't lock it, and the chain is bust. So 'f you'd like to see him for yerselves—" [Pg 17] "Where is he?" asked the captains in chorus. Sefami Bunt gave a backward jerk with his head. "I tied him to the leg o' the table," he said. "The boys is mindin' of him. Sh'll I fetch him up?" Receiving an affirmative answer, he disappeared, and returned, dragging the prisoner by the collar. The latter, the instant he caught sight of the assembly of mariners, shook off his keeper with a single movement; then, making his obeisance in true seaman fashion, he glanced quickly round the room, and stood still, cap in hand, in an attitude of respectful humility. He was a short, thick-set man, evidently of great strength; a sailor, every inch of him, from the gold rings in his ears to the way he set his feet down. Jet-black curls clustered about his brown, smiling face. His dark eyes were alive with intelligence and humour. His open shirt displayed a neck elaborately tattooed, while hands and wrists were a museum of anchors, hearts and crosses. "Will you speak to him, Cap'n Bean?" said one or two of the other captains in low tones. "Wal, I don't want to be settin' myself up," replied Captain Asy, "but if it's the wish"—he[Pg 18] glanced round the circle, and ascertained that it was the wish. Whereupon, clearing his throat and assuming a quarter-deck frown, he asked, in majestic tones, "What is your name, prisoner?" [Pg 18] The dark eyes looked intelligence. "Name, honourable captains? Giorgios Aristides Evangelides Paparipopoulos." "Great Andes!" exclaimed Captain Asy. "We've got the whole archipelago, and no mistake. What do they call ye? Hey?" "Ah!"—the brown face flashed into a bewildering smile, an ivory revelation. "Call me? Jim!" The captains breathed again. "That's more civilized!" said Captain Asy. "Now, you Jim, what have you got to say for yourself?"
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