"Looks like an 'ad' for a dentist, with those teeth of his," laughed Jack.
"That is meant for a good-natured grin," maintained Sandy, confronting his purchase critically.
"Appears more as if he was getting ready to tackle a whale steak or something of that kind," declared Tom.
"I guess it will bring good luck," went on Sandy, poking his prize in the ribs. "The native told me that if you kept it handy, say in your pocket, you'd have good luck all the time. Never go hungry or get sick."
"That alone is worth the price of admission," chuckled Jack skeptically. "How does it work?"
"You just stick it up in front of your house, and as long as it is planted there and kept painted it'll stay on the job," was Sandy's glowing reply.
"That's simple," said Tom, "about as cheap a way of maintaining a mascot as you could find."
At this point Mr. Dacre, who had been busy below consulting with the engineering force, came on deck. A smile overspread his face as he saw the totem.
"Well, well. You young men are certainly acquiring the rudiments of a museum," he said amusedly. "Who is the owner of the gentleman with the 'bowsprit' teeth?"