"Mistaire Sho Bronson," he added as an afterthought.
The two boys regarded each other silently for a moment.

They were evidently about the same age, though the stranger looked the heartier and stronger of the two.

'Frisco Kid put out his hand, and they shook.
"So you 're thinking of tackling the water, eh ?" he said.
Joe Bronson nodded and glanced curiously about him before answering: "Yes; I think the bay life will suit me for a while, and then, when I 've got used to it, I 'm going to sea in the forecastle." "In the what ?" "In the forecastle--the place where the sailors live," he explained, flushing and feeling doubtful of his pronunciation.
"Oh, the fo'c'sle.

Know anything about going to sea ?" "Yes--no; that is, except what I 've read." 'Frisco Kid whistled, turned on his heel in a lordly manner, and went into the cabin.
"Going to sea," he chuckled to himself as he built the fire and set about cooking supper; "in the 'forecastle,' too; and thinks he 'll like it." In the meanwhile French Pete was showing the newcomer about the sloop as though he were a guest.

Such affability and charm did he display that 'Frisco Kid, popping his head up through the scuttle to call them to supper, nearly choked in his effort to suppress a grin.
Joe Bronson enjoyed that supper.