He was wandering about the boat after supper, when, happening to go down to the main deck, he saw a commonly dressed man smoking a clay pipe.
There was something familiar in the fellow’s look.
“Where have I seen that face before?” Ben asked himself.
CHAPTER XI.
BEN HAS A NARROW ESCAPE.
At first Ben was puzzled, but all at once it flashed upon him that the man was the one who had tried to rob his stepfather and afterward to enter the house. He could see in his face some of the fine bird shot which had entered it when he fired the old musket at him.
Now it often happens that a fixed and steady gaze will in some strange manner be felt by the person observed. At any rate, in this instance Tom Tidd at first looked uneasy, then turning returned Ben’s look. He, too, was struck by something familiar in the boy’s face, but his new clothes made recognition more difficult.
“What are you starin’ at, kid?” he growled.
“Did you address me, sir?” asked Ben.
“Yes, I did. Do you think you’ll know me next time?”