"I am never quite sure what you want of me," replied the other, eyeing the captain suspiciously in the dim twilight. "But come in—come in," he added, hastily. "We are just sitting down to supper. Come and take something with us, if you're not too proud to sit at our humble table."
"I've got over being proud long ago," said the captain, following the other along a very narrow hall.
The interior of the room into which he was ushered bespoke the fact that it was inhabited by men—presumably sailors, from the nautical implements thrown promiscuously about. It was unoccupied, and Captain Frazier took his seat at the head of the table.
"Some of the boys left very hurriedly when they heard the loud, resounding knock on the front door," his companion said, laughingly, as he heaped the tempting viands on Frazier's plate.
The captain, whose appetite had been sadly neglected, paid great attention to the savory dishes before him.
"We have been accustomed to talking and eating at the same time," he began.
"Of course," returned the other.
"When do you make your next trip out?"
"In a week's time, probably, if all is favorable."
"I think I shall ship with you," said the captain. "This part of the country is getting too unsafe for me. I see by to-day's paper that they are searching for me."