I watched scarce breathing, for it seemed my fate hung in
the balance. Would she come down to Love and me, or -
"Ship ahoy!" cried a voice, and in that moment my dream vanished.
I sighed, and looking round, beheld a head peering eat me over
the balustrade; a head bound up in a bandanna handkerchief of
large pattern and vivid colouring.
"Why, Imp!" I exclaimed. But my surprise abated when he emerged
into full view.
About his waist was a broadbuckled belt, which supported a wooden
cutlass, two or three murderous wooden daggers and a brace of toy
pistols; while upon his legs were a pair of top-boots many sizes
too large for him, so that walking required no little care. Yet on
the whole his appearance was decidedly effective. There could be
no mistake - he was a bloodthirsty pirate!
The imp is an artist to his grimy finger tips.
"Avast, shipmate!" I cried. "How's the wind?"
"Oh, he exclaimed, failing over his boots with eagerness, "do take
me in your boat, an' let's be pirates, will you, Uncle Dick?"
"Well, that depends. Where is your Auntie Lisbeth?"
"Mr.
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