Pike's face, and
was prepared for I knew not what awful monstrosities to emerge from
the forecastle. Instead, to my surprise, came three fellows who were
strikingly superior to the ruck that had preceded them. I looked to
see the mate's face soften to some sort of approval. On the
contrary, his blue eyes contracted to narrow slits, the snarl of his
voice was communicated to his lips, so that he seemed like a dog
about to bite.
But the three fellows. They were small men, all; and young men,
anywhere between twenty-five and thirty. Though roughly dressed,
they were well dressed, and under their clothes their bodily
movements showed physical well-being. Their faces were keen cut,
intelligent. And though I felt there was something queer about them,
I could not divine what it was.
Here were no ill-fed, whiskey-poisoned men, such as the rest of the
sailors, who, having drunk up their last pay-days, had starved ashore
until they had received and drunk up their advance money for the
present voyage. These three, on the other hand were supple and
vigorous.
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