Part 11 (1/2)

I did not wait for anythingthe front door I darted out the back exit and into the lane Down the lane, in the darkness, I tore like a hurricane, then along the waterfront until there was a mile between me and the scene of my late encounter

I slowed up at a convenient horse-trough, splashedwater and adjustedas best I could, then I strolled into the shi+pping shed, where stevedores and dock labourers were busy, by electric light, coo boat

A notion seizedvery far away

I walked up the gang-plank, and aboard

CHAPTER VI

Aboard the Coaster

An ordinary seaman, then the second officer of the little steamer passed me on the deck, but both were busy and paid no more attention to my presence than if I had been one of themselves

I strolled down the narrow companionway, into a cosy, but so for a tins of life, I pushed open the door of a stateroom on the starboard side The room had two berths I tossed my knapsack and clubs into the lower one As I turned to the door again, I espied a diminutive individual, no more than four and a half feet tall,--or, as I should say, sold-braided unifor little custorizzled, weather-beaten and, apparently, as hard as nails He was absolutely self-possessed and, despite his stature, there was ”nothing small about him,” as an American friend of mine used to put it

He touched his cap, and smiled His smile told me at once that he was an Irishman, for only an Irishman could smile as he did It was a smile with a joke, a drink, a kiss and a touch of the devil himself in it

”I saw ye coow! I cogitated, yes!--Glasgow as a starting point would suit uess,” I answered ”But, tell me,--how did you know that that was my destination?”

He showed his teeth

”Och! because it's the only port we're callin' at, sor Looks like a fine trip north,” he went on ”The weather's warh breeze to make it lively Nothin' like the sea, sor, for keepin' the stomach swate and the -weary

”When ye get to Glasgow, if ye are on the lookout for a place to slape,--try Barney O'Toole's in Argyle Street The place is nothin' to look at, but it's a hummer inside, sor”

I yawned drowsily once more, but the hint did not stop him

”If you'll excuse ht call hty short tour, or a devil av a long one got up in a hurry”

The little clatterbag's uncanny guessing harried me

”How do you arrive at your conclusions?” I asked, taking offit up

”Och! shure it's by the size av your wardrobe Notrip with a knapsack and a bag av golfsticks”

”Well,--it is likely to be long enough,” I laughed ruefully