"I've took rather a fancy to the girl. Is it a bargain?"
"It is," said the skipper, shaking hands upon it. "If you git me out of
this hole, Bill, I'll remember it the longest day I live."
With these words he went below, and, after cautiously undoing W. H.
Cooper, who had slept himself into a knot that a professional
contortionist would have envied, tumbled in beside him and went to
sleep.
His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at
breakfast in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong
effort; and after the meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on
deck, he laid hold of the mate, who was following, and drew him into the
cabin.
"You haven't washed yourself this morning," he said, eyeing him closely.
"How do you s'pose you are going to make an impression if you don't look
smart?"
"Well, I look tidier than you do," growled the mate.
"Of course you do," said the wily Evans. "I'm going to give you all the
chances I can. Now you go and shave yourself, and here--take it."
He passed the surprised mate a brilliant red silk tie, embellished with
green spots.
"No, no," said the mate deprecatingly.
"Take it," repeated Evans; "if anything'll fetch her it'll be that tie;
and here's a couple of collars for you; they're a new shape, quite the
rage down Poplar way just now.
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