He had not drunk much of it when the big seaman rose hurriedly and staggered between the two tables. In doing so, he accidentally knocked the pot out of the youth's hand, and sent the contents into Mr Sloper's face and down into his bosom, to the immense amusement of the company. That man of peace accepted the baptism meekly, but Miles sprang up in sudden anger. The seaman turned to him, however, with a benignantly apologetic smile. "Hallo! messmate. I ax your parding. They don't leave room even for a scarecrow to go about in this here cabin. I'll stand you another glass. Give us your flipper!" There was no resisting this, it was said so heartily. Miles grasped the huge hand that was extended and shook it warmly. "All right," he said, laughing. "I don't mind the beer, and there's plenty more where that came from, but I fear you have done some damage to my fr--" "Your _friend_. Out with it, sir. Never be ashamed to acknowledge your friends," exclaimed the shabby man, as he wiped his face. "Hold on a bit," he added, rising; "I'll have to change my shirt. Won't keep you waitin' long." "Another pot o' beer for this 'ere gen'lem'n," said the sailor to the barman as Sloper left the room. Paying for the drink, he returned and put the pot on the table. Then, turning to Miles, he said in a low voice and with an intelligent look-- "Come outside for a bit, messmate. I wants to speak to 'ee." Miles rose and followed the man in much surprise. "You'll excuse me, sir," he said, when a few yards away from the door; "but I see that you're green, an' don't know what a rascally place you've got into. I've been fleeced there myself, and yet I'm fool enough to go back! Most o' the parties there--except the sailors an' sodgers--are thieves an' blackguards. They've drugged your beer, I know; that's why I capsized it for you, and the feller that has got hold o' you is a well-known decoy-duck. I don't know how much of the ready you may have about you, but this I does know, whether it be much or little, you wouldn't have a rap of it in the mornin' if you stayed the night in this here house." "Are you sure of this, friend?" asked Miles, eyeing his companion doubtfully. "Ay, as sure as I am that my name's Jack Molloy." "But you've been shamming drunk all this time. How am I to know that you are not shamming friendship now?"