"What can I do for you?" he inquired.
"Give me thy youth," said the stranger, quickly, his gray eyes twinkling under silvered brows.
The boy, now smiling, made no answer.
"No?" said the man, as he came on slowly. "Well, then, were thy wit as good as thy legs it would be o' some use to me."
The words were spoken with dignity in a deep, kindly tone. They were also faintly salted with Irish brogue.
He approached the men, all eyes fixed upon him with a look of inquiry.
"Have ye ever seen a drunken sailor on a mast?" he inquired of
Allen,
"No."
"Well, sor," said the stranger, dismounting slowly, "I am not that.
Let me consider—have ye ever seen a cocoanut on a plum tree?"
"I believe not," said Allen, laughing.