THE GAM. 



"I'd ruther gam for fifteen minutes than slush the mast for fifteen weeks." 



— Rubaiyat of Salthorse Dooley. 



"What did you say your old man's name was ? " 



" Robbins, shipmates, an' as thorough a seaman 

 as ever trod the quarter-deck." 



"Strict?" 



" Yes — an' no. You don't feel like you was 

 being governed, an' yit ev'ry man aboard done 

 what he said, ev'ry time. They ain't no half- 

 laughs an' sailor's grins about him. He's straight 

 up an' down, like a yard o' pump water ! " 



" A jolly wag, too ! " broke in a third heavy 

 voice. " You ought to seen him play it on them 

 full-rig Mohammedans at Johanna. By George, 

 it was fun ! Worth a man's hull advance pay ! " 



Two bells ! One o'clock in the morning ! And 

 the ships were gamming still. The two captains 

 were holding high converse in the Clara Belts 

 cabin, and until the visiting master saw fit to 

 return to his vessel, the visiting watch from the 

 stranger made merry in the Clara Belts fore- 

 castle. It was a delight to see new faces. It was 

 a rare treat to hear new voices. It was a fine, 

 novel pleasure to match yarns all round. 



