Pagina 234 de 416

He looked out into a three-cornered room occupied by a

three-cornered table, and that ran as far back as the foremast.

Above, fastened to a huge square beam, hung a chain-lamp so

swiveled that it kept itself level however much the schooner

kicked and wriggled. On the table, swinging his legs, sat a

large, unpleasant-looking man.

"Wal, how are ye?" asked this latter, seeing his charge had

recovered consciousness. Never having seen the man before, Code

did not consider it necessary to answer. So he wriggled to find

out if any bones were broken, and, in the end, discovered a

tender knob on the right side of his head.

He soon recalled the visit to St. Pierre, the purchase of the

bait, Pete Ellinwood's fight, the general mix-up, and the blow on

the head that had finished him. He sat up suddenly.

"Look here! What ship is this?" he demanded.

"You'll find out soon enough when you go on deck. Hungry? I got

orders to feed ye."

"You bet I'm hungry; didn't have any dinner last night in St.

Pierre."