I do not recall that I performed the nautical rite of signing articles.  Armed with the note McWhirter had secured for me, and with what I fondly hoped was the rolling gait of the seafaring man, I approached the captain—­a bearded and florid individual.  I had dressed the part—­old trousers, a cap, and a sweater from which I had removed my college letter, McWhirter, who had supervised my preparations, and who had accompanied me to the wharf, had suggested that I omit my morning shave.  The result was, as I look back, a lean and cadaverous six-foot youth, with the hospital pallor still on him, his chin covered with a day’s beard, his hair cropped short, and a cannibalistic gleam in his eyes.  I remember that my wrists, thin and bony, annoyed me, and that the girl I had seen through the opera-glasses came on board, and stood off, detached and indifferent, but with her eyes on me, while the captain read my letter.

When he finished, he held it out to me.

“I’ve got my crew,” he said curtly.

“There isn’t—­I suppose there’s no chance of your needing another hand?”

“No.”  He turned away, then glanced back at the letter I was still holding, rather dazed.  “You can leave your name and address with the mate over there.  If anything turns up he’ll let you know.”

My address!  The hospital?

I folded the useless letter and thrust it into my pocket.  The captain had gone forward, and the girl with the cool eyes was leaning against the rail, watching me.

“You are the man Mr. McWhirter has been looking after, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”  I pulled off my cap, and, recollecting myself—­“Yes, miss.”

“You are not a sailor?”

“I have had some experience—­and I am willing.”

“You have been ill, haven’t you?”

“Yes—­miss.”

“Could you polish brass, and things like that?”

“I could try.  My arms are strong enough.  It is only when I walk—­”

But she did not let me finish.  She left the rail abruptly, and disappeared down the companionway into the after house.  I waited uncertainly.  The captain saw me still loitering, and scowled.  A procession of men with trunks jostled me; a colored man, evidently a butler, ordered me out of his way while he carried down into the cabin, with almost reverent care, a basket of wine.

When the girl returned, she came to me, and stood for a moment, looking me over with cool, appraising eyes.  I had been right about her appearance:  she was charming—­or no, hardly charming.  She was too aloof for that.  But she was beautiful, an Irish type, with blue-gray eyes and almost black hair.  The tilt of her head was haughty.  Later I came to know that her hauteur was indifference:  but at first I was frankly afraid of her, afraid of her cool, mocking eyes and the upward thrust of her chin.

“My brother-in-law is not here,” she said after a moment, “but my sister is below in the cabin.  She will speak to the captain about you.  Where are your things?”