“Did you call us?” asked Bob.
“Sure, son, I want you to take me out so we can kill that whale. Shiver my timbers, but it’s like old times again!”
“Did you ever kill whales?” asked Ned.
“Did I? Say you don’t know me!”
Then, rolling up his sleeves and disclosing two very hairy and much tattooed arms he sang in a high, quavering voice:
“I’ve traveled in the North sea.
I’ve traveled in the South.
I’ve killed a whale
With the biggest tail
And the smallest kind of a mouth!”
“That’s me! That’s Salt Water Sam!” he went on. “Now boys, if you wait a minute I’ll go after my harpoon and line, and we’ll have a whale chase as is a chase.”
Before the boys could reply, the old sailor ran from the dock toward a little shanty that stood on the beach. When he was gone Jerry asked:
“Shall we risk it, fellows?”
“Maybe he’s only joking?” Bob said. “He doesn’t look as if he knew how to harpoon a whale.”