the cook and myself, we were thirteen on board. Now, thirty-two or thirty-four men would not be too many for us, and it must be remembered that there were thirty-eight on board the Jane.
In this emergency the Governor exerted himself to the utmost, and thanks to the largely-extra pay that was offered, Captain Len Guy procured his full tale of seamen. Nine recruits signed articles for the duration of the campaign, which could not be fixed beforehand, but was not to extend beyond Tsalal Island.
The crew, counting every man on board except myself, numbered thirty-one, and a thirty-second for whom I bespeak especial attention. On the eve of our departure. Captain Len Guy was accosted at the angle of the port by an individual whom he recognized as a sailor by his clothes, his walk, and his speech.
This individual said, in a rough and hardly intelligible voice,—
"Captain, I have to make a proposal to you."
"What is it?"
"Have you still a place?"
"For a sailor?"
"For a sailor."
"Yes and no."
"Is it yes?"
"It is yes, if the man suits me."
"Will you take me?"
"You are a seaman?"
"I have served the sea for twenty-five years."
"Where?"
"In the Southern Seas."
"Far?"
