CHAPTER III

The talk in the Swede's house was all of drink and women and ships. I
was too young and clean to find much enjoyment in too much of the first
two; much liquor made me sick, and I did not find the painted Jezebels
of sailor-town attractive. But ships were my life, and I lent a ready
ear to the gossip about them. To tell the truth, I didn't enjoy the
Knitting Swede's place very much. I did so want to be a hard case, and
I guess I was a pretty hard case, but I didn't like the other hard
cases. Youth likes companionship, but I didn't want to chum with that
gang, willing though most of them were that I permit them to help me
spend my money. I hadn't been ashore twenty-four hours before I found
myself wishing for a clean breeze and blue water.

Shipping was brisk in the port, and I discovered I would have no
trouble in picking my ship when my money was gone. The _Enterprise_
was loading for Boston; the _Glory of the Seas_ would sail within the
fortnight for the United Kingdom; there were a half-dozen other smart
ships wishing to be manned by smart lads. I had nothing to worry
about. I could blow my pay-day as quickly as I liked; there was no
danger of my being stranded "on the beach."

So I spent my money, as violently as possible. I made a noise in the
Swede's house, and was proud of myself. My first A.B.'s spree!

On the third evening of my "bust," my mettle was tested. There was a
woman in the Swede's house, a slim wisp of a little Jewess, with the
sweet face of a Madonna and the eyes of a wanton. Well--she smiled on
me. She had good reason to; was I not making my gold pieces dance a
merry tune? Was I not fair game for any huntress?