The table was rimmed with a batten to keep the plates from falling. “Here’s my water-carafe,” said Mr. Iles. “Sit down, Mr. Stukeley. I’ll fetch you the rum and a pannikin. We ain’t got much. But you may as well have what there is.” From the adjoining wardroom pantry he produced a bottle of rum, about half full, and a couple of tin pannikins. Mr. Iles held the bottle against the light to observe the level of the spirit. He also sniffed at the mouth after removing the cork. “I have to watch that boy,” he explained. “He likes his little dollop a bit too well. I don’t think he’s been at this though. Does it seem to you’s though it been watered?” “No, sir,” said Stukeley, swallowing his allowance. “It’s very sound spirit. Wants another year in cask perhaps. How much of this do you get a day?” “Half a pint’s the whack,” said Mr. Iles, “but I don’t touch my whack the first month, till the water slimes. Then I’ve a matter of three gallons saved, in case I get company come. Have another go, Mr. Stukeley?” “Thank you,” said Stukeley, holding out his pannikin. “Here’s to old Brandyface, our bold commander.” “Old Cap Hammock,” said Iles, twitching the left side of his upper lip in the smile peculiar to him. “What do you think of old Brandyface?” said Stukeley. “Perhaps you’re used to pirates?” “What’s pirates got to do with it?” said Mr. Iles. “Drink hearty, sir. I got a demijohn in the spare bunk there. What’s pirates got to do with it?” “Well. There’s old Brandyface in the cabin, isn’t there?” “Old Cap Hammock ain’t no pirate?” “Wasn’t he? He was damned near hung for it. Not so long ago, either.” “Is that so?” said Iles. “Is that so, now? Straight?” “He’s only an old buccaneer. What d’you think of the old boy?” “I ain’t paid to think,” said Mr. Iles evasively. “Gee. I didn’t know he was that sort. I wish I’d known.” “Why?” “Here. You ain’t doing your piece. You want to do better’n that. Lay aft with your pannikin.” “He was one of the gang which worked in the South Seas,” said Stukeley. “You know the sort of thing they did. Ruffians. He was at it all his life.” “I wish I’d known. Gee. Hey?” “Why?” “Here, fill fair. Fill fair.” “You’ll make me cocked.” “Cock in your eye, sir. Lap the cream of it.” “He’s a nice one to have command of a ship. Eh?” “So he was nothing but an old pirate? Gee.” “What sort of an old man is he to work with?” “I wish I’d known. B’gee, sir, I’d have---- What sort is he? He don’t know nothing. He’s only an old woman. He cain’t knot a rope-yarn. If I’d known, I’d have----” “What would you have?” “He got fresh with me one time. He give me the slack of his old lip, about leaving the harness-cask unlocked. I’d have called him down if I’d known. I don’t let any old pirate get gay with me. See?” “He’s a dirty old swine,” said Stukeley. “He and those damned old women your owners.” “That Perrin’s a bute, for fair, hey?” “They make a nice trio to leave your wife alone with.”