36 WHALING AND FISHNG. 



had determined to secure him a berth that day 

 by hook or crook. 



' ; Is this the man you mentioned to me, Mr 

 Jones ?" asked the owner. 



" Yes sir, and a most excellent fellow you'll find 

 him, sir a good whale 

 man and a quiet fellow." 

 " Please go out my man 

 please go out you are too 

 old a salt for me; I would 'nt 

 allow you to pay your pas- 

 sage in a vessel of mine," 

 was the owner's answer, 

 after closely scrutinizing 

 poor Bill for the space of 

 two or three minutes. 



" Mr. Jones, I'm aston 

 ished that you can think 

 of offering me such a man 

 why he's a regular mer- 

 chant sailor, if my eye 

 knows anything concern- 

 ing the bearings of those 

 vagabond fellows." 



Mr. Jones looked crestfallen ; seeing which, the 

 added, " I promised to ship one of your 

 men, and will keep a place vacant for one if you 

 ean bring me down somebody that will suit." 



A bright flash from Mr. Jones' eyes would 

 have told a close observer that a fortunate idea had 

 in part relieved him of his embarrassment. With 



