CHAPTER IV

IN WHICH I EXAMINE THE PARCHMENTS THE advent of the stranger on board the _Thrush_ caused an outburst of surprise and consternation among the men, who stood in a group around him, addressing him and making remarks upon his personal appearance and his clothes. “’E looks like old Father Christmas been starved to death!” I heard one seaman remark. “Look at his shoes. Them buckles are silver, mates!” And then for the first time I noticed that the buckles on his shoes were very beautiful ones. “There’s something confoun…