"To-morrow is Sunday, and on Sunday we have coffee and cakes aboard. Come aboard the Panther at half-past three to-morrow, and have coffee and cakes."
"By Joe, mate, can I come aboard a German warship like this?"
"Never mind, boy, we'll receive you." And he persuaded me to do what I wanted to do more than anything else.
When the sun rose the next morning, I started to make my toilet. The beach was my dressing room. The ocean was both mirror and wash basin. I scrubbed my hands and face with sand and water. I ran my fingers through my hair and beard, trying to comb them. I tried to smoothe the wrinkles out of my coat and trousers. I tucked the coal bag around my leg and foot fifty times, to make it look its best. I sneaked on board like a criminal. The sailors gave me a good reception. Everybody sat on benches, and had coffee and cake. There was a cannon under a tarpaulin. I tried to get a glimpse of it. I was bashful and ill at ease. I felt as though I was among rich people in a mansion.
The young officer of the watch passed and saw me. The sailors jumped up, and stood at attention. I stood up, putting the foot with the coal sack behind the other one to hide it. The officer called the boatswain.
"In the future," he said, "I want you to see that no such tramps get aboard. Throw this unspeakable creature off.
"Get out of here," yelled the boatswain.
I slunk across the deck to the gangplank like a beaten dog. I had seen this beautiful ship. I had seen a German warship for the first time. Poor castaway that I was, the sailors had welcomed me aboard. Holy feelings had been aroused in me. And now...
I heard the sailors mutter. One of them said quietly to me:
"Don't worry, Phelax. We will get you fine clothes. The lieutenant, we will take his pants. The boatswain, we will take his shirt. We will give you a coat, shoes, and a cap. The barber will be there too. At eight bells on the pier."