The routine of the ship went on in a regular way, and the men smoked and idled as they entered the tropics, and neared the object of the voyage. The doctor made himself specially agreeable to Sam Oakum, chatted with him, gave him cigars, which Sam cut up and chewed, ending by talking about John Studwick; at which Sam winked to himself as he thought that the doctor would not have taken so much interest in the case if it had not been for the sister. Then, to use Oakum's own words, Mr Wilson would "come and fold his back," so as to lean his elbows on the bulwarks, and chatter about his birds and the natural-history objects Sam had seen in his travels--that worthy not forgetting to shoot the birds he described with the long bow; and all the while Mr Wilson, who was an exceedingly meek individual, would be smoothing his light, towey hair, which the winds blew about, altering the set of his tie and collar, and brushing the specks off his clothes. "He's a poor, weak, soft Tommy sort of a chap," said Sam to himself, as he watched him out of one corner of his eye, and saw that he was constantly on the look-out to see if Bessy Studwick came up on deck, content to watch her from a distance, for her brother had taken quite an antipathy to him. "Heigho!" he'd sigh, as he shook his head, and gazed down at the water, as if wondering whether he had not better emulate Dutch's plunge, and not come up again. "Heigho! this is a strange world, Mr Oakum." "It's a rum 'un, sir, all round, and always was. But I say, sir, it's easy to see what's the matter with you." "Oh, nonsense, nonsense, Mr Oakum!" said the tall fellow, blushing like a girl. "It's only natur', sir," said Sam, sympathetically, as he gave a good twist to his quid, and winked at one of the blacks. "It ain't nothin' to be ashamed on." "Ah; Mr Oakum, I wish I was in such favour as you are over yonder." "You would not like to pay the cost, sir, I know." "Pay the cost, Mr Oakum; what do you mean?" "It's only we ugly ones as enjoys these privileges with the fair sect. You wouldn't like to be old and ugly like me, to be talked to as I am." "Ah, Mr Oakum, I would be her dog if she would be fond of me--or a bird," he said, enthusiastically. "Ah, if I had only thought of it before I started." "Thought o' what, sir?" said Sam, winking at the black again. "Of bringing a few canaries. They are such nice presents to give a lady." "Do you want to send a present to her, sir?" "Oh, yes, Mr Oakum." "Well, sir, if I were in love with a lady, and wanted--" "Oh, hush! Mr Oakum." "Wanted, I says, to find her a present, I shouldn't send whistling canaries, but a pair o' cooing doves." The young naturalist stared at old Oakum, as if he wished to penetrate his inmost thoughts; but the old sailor never flinched, looking as serious as a judge outside, but laughing heartily within at the other's expense.