Before I could lather my face, standing before a small cracked mirror, bracing myself to the roll of the bark, the steward returned, bearing in his hands tobacco and pipe.
Estada, however, remained away longer than I had anticipated he would, and I was fully dressed and comfortably smoking before he came down from the deck and crossed the cabin to my partially open door.
"The starboard watch has been called," he said, "and you are to take charge of the deck, relieving LeVere.

I waited to explain the situation to the men before you appeared.

I suppose you are ready ?" "Ay, ay, Senor," knocking the ashes out of my pipe, and rising.

He eyed my clothes disapprovingly.
"Rather a fancy rig, Gates, for a first officer on duty." "Some style I admit, Senor, but they were all the steward offered me." "You'll have to carry a hard fist, my man, to back up that costume aboard the _Namur_," he said coldly.

"Those black devils are apt to mistake you for a plaything." "Let them test it once; they will soon find I have the hard fist.