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144 ing precision, as he reached for the apple. "I'm not an unhappy man," he added, munching appreciatively.

"You soon will be," promised the Captain, as he ceased peeling a chocolate, to tap significantly the heavy sheath knife (or paper knife) at his belt.

No further word broke the brooding silence of the raft until the Captain had finished peeling the chocolates, laid them out before him, a post-prandial , produced his pipe, struck a match, affected to light it and cast an experienced eye at the weather.

"Prepare to die, Bo'sun," said he suddenly.

"Haven't finished my apple," replied the Bos'un. "If you wait a little while I shall taste all the sweeter. Eat a couple of chocolates now and keep one to take my taste away afterwards."

The Captain considered the request, and seemed to be viewing it and the chocolates with favourable eye.

"Which joints of me will you eat, and which will you give the Crew?" asked the Bo'sun, meditatively eyeing his fat legs and arms.