Fu Shan chuckled a third time.

He took no more stock in the happiness of his countrymen than Sadlerdid in the morals of his. They seemed to be a profitable combination,but I didn't make out to comprehend Sadler, though I went as far asto look at that he had a variegated way of putting it.

Then I told him I wanted a first mate's berth on the _GoodSister_, supposing he was willing, either on account of very aged timesor because he might happen to be convinced I was good enough for it.I told him the experiences I'd had. What had happened to the _HelenMar_ I told him, and about the Mituas business, and the loss ofthe _Anaconda_, and even about Kreps and Liebchen.

"My! My! Tommy," he says, after the last. "That's a lyric poem," hesays, referring to Kreps and Liebchen.

But he exclaimed nothing then about the _Good Sister_, and I decidedto hang around till he did, and one day he brought me a bundle ofpapers.