The chair was placed on the edge of the main kettle and the monster simply raised his hand to one of his retainers.  This fellow tilted it up, sailor and all, into the smother of suds and water.  Instantly there were roars of laughter, as all hands watched the man trying to get clear of the slippery iron tank.  Every time he would get a hold, his fingers would be rapped sharply, and down he would go, floundering about.  He was finally let off with a fine of a plug of tobacco, all his belongings save the clothes he had with him.

Other men followed, for the whaler had a crew of thirty-five.  Some were shaved with a barrel hoop for a razor, and tar for lather, being finally released for some tobacco.

“Come aft, O king,” bawled Henry, after the fun had grown fast and furious.  “Come aft, and get a donation from the ladies.”

The great fellow was escorted unsteadily to the poop, where he saluted the women.

“Have ye never paid toll to go to the other world, yet?” asked the king.

“No,” said Jackwell, who was getting tired of the fun, “I ain’t never been acrost, and I ain’t a-going to pay toll.”

“Shall he pay?” asked the king of Henry.

“Sure,” was Henry’s response.

Instantly the giant sprang upon the deck, getting clear of his stilts by some means or other.  He seized Jackwell tightly around the body, and rushing to the rail, sprang into the sea, his followers yelling themselves hoarse with delight.

When they were hauled aboard, Jackwell was in a fury.  I expected him to shoot the sailor who had the audacity to pitch him overboard, but he controlled himself.  The incident, however, ended the fun aboard the brig, Henry, between fits of laughing, telling the mate to serve all hands with all the grog they wanted.

“Do not wait for me, madam,” said Jackwell, to Mrs. Sackett.  “I shall not come aboard my ship in this condition.  You get Mr. Rolling to take you and your daughter, and I’ll follow, after Captain Henry has given me a new suit of clothes.”

This appeared to be the best thing to do, as the brig’s men were now getting boisterous with the grog, and our men were drinking also.  The ladies were tired of the performance, although they had enjoyed some of it very much, and they were glad when I called away the boat’s crew to take them back to the Pirate.

Jackwell appeared at the rail as we started off.

“Rolling,” said he, “tell Trunnell not to stay awake at night worrying about my health.  This bath will not strike in and tickle me to death as you might be agreeable enough to suppose.”

“Hurry and change your clothes, captain,” cried Mrs. Sackett.

“Madam,” said he, with great solemnity as the oars were dropped across, “do not grieve for me.  It will make me unhappy for the rest of my pious existence if you do.  Fare thee well.”

We were now on our way back to the ship, and he stood a moment, waved his hand, and then disappeared down the companionway.