Bloody Bill, it is true, did the same; but as this was his conduct towards every one else, it was not peculiar in reference to me.

Once or twice I tried to draw him into conversation, but he always turned away after a few cold monosyllables.

As he now leaned over the taffrail close beside me, I said to him,-- "Bill, why is it that you are so gloomy?
Why do you never speak to any one ?" Bill smiled slightly as he replied, "Why, I s'pose it's because I haint got nothin' to say!" "That's strange," said I, musingly; "you look like a man that could think, and such men can usually speak." "So they can, youngster," rejoined Bill, somewhat sternly; "and I could speak too if I had a mind to, but what's the use o' speakin' here! The men only open their mouths to curse and swear, an' they seem to find it entertaining; but I don't, so I hold my tongue." "Well, Bill, that's true, and I would rather not hear you speak at all than hear you speak like the other men; but _I_ don't swear, Bill, so you might talk to me sometimes, I think.

Besides, I'm weary of spending day after day in this way, without a single soul to say a pleasant word to.
I've been used to friendly conversation, Bill, and I really would take it kind if you would talk with me a little now and then." Bill looked at me in surprise, and I thought I observed a sad expression pass across his sun-burnt face.
"An' where have you been used to friendly conversation," said Bill, looking down again into the sea; "not on that Coral Island, I take it ?" "Yes, indeed," said I energetically; "I have spent many of the happiest months in my life on that Coral Island;" and without waiting to be further questioned, I launched out into a glowing account of the happy life that Jack and Peterkin and I had spent together, and related minutely every circumstance that befell us while on the island.
"Boy, boy," said Bill, in a voice so deep that it startled me, "this is no place for you." "That's true," said I; "I'm of little use on board, and I don't like my comrades; but I can't help it, and at anyrate I hope to be free again soon." "Free ?" said Bill, looking at me in surprise.
"Yes, free," returned I; "the captain said he would put me ashore after this trip was over." "_This trip_! Hark'ee, boy," said Bill, lowering his voice, "what said the captain to you the day you came aboard ?" "He said that he was a trader in sandal-wood and no pirate, and told me that if I would join him for this trip he would give me a good share of the profits or put me on shore in some civilized island if I chose." Bill's brows lowered savagely as he muttered, "Ay, he said truth when he told you he was a sandal-wood trader, but he lied when--" "Sail ho!" shouted the look-out at the masthead.
"Where, away ?" cried Bill, springing to the tiller; while the men, startled by the sudden cry jumped up and gazed round the horizon.
"On the starboard quarter, hull down, sir," answered the look-out.
At this moment the captain came on deck, and mounting into the rigging, surveyed the sail through the glass.

Then sweeping his eye round the horizon he gazed steadily at a particular point.
"Take in top-sails," shouted the captain, swinging himself down on the deck by the main-back stay.
"Take in top-sails," roared the first mate.
"Ay, ay, sir-r-r," answered the men as they sprang into the rigging and went aloft like cats.
Instantly all was bustle on board the hitherto quiet schooner.