beside the boy. "Folks talk about the place being half-civilized and all that sort of thing, but they seem to forget that it's more civilized than Texas and New Mexico were when we took hold of them, or Alaska."
That night was the first Larry spent on board of the Columbia, for he had removed his chest to the craft before starting on the day's outing. To be sure, the forecastle of the schooner was dark and dingy, as forecastles usually are, but the apartment was clean and in order, and did not smell half so strongly of tar and oakum, tobacco and bilge-water, as other places like it of which he knew. Moreover, his berth was near to the door, so he was likely to get the full benefit of all cool and fresh air which was stirring.
Hobson's berth was next to Larry's, with Luke Striker's just opposite. Then came the berths of Cal Vincent, Maurice Roddmann, and several other sailors, for the Columbia carried all the men she required. In the rear was the berth of the Norwegian, who was not to come on board until the last moment, on account of the sickness of one of his former messmates, so he had explained.
Thursday dawned clear and bright, with a stiff
