Five minutes later, Mr. Gibney was aboard the _Tropic Bird_ and
had presented himself at her master's cabin. "Where're you bound
for next trip, sir?" he inquired.
"General trading through the Marquesas, the Society Islands, and
the Gilberts."
"Happen to be goin' to Aranuka, in the Gilberts?"
"You bet. Got a trading station there."
"How are you off for a good mate?"
"Got one."
"How about a second mate?"
"Got a crackerjack."
"Well, I'm not particular. I'll make a bully bo'sun, sir."
"Very well. We'll be sailing some day next week and you can sign
up before the Commissioner any time you're ready. By the way,
what's your name?"
"Gibney, sir. Adelbert P. Gibney."
"Any experience in the South Seas?"
"Heaps of it. I was mate for three years with Bull McGinty in the
old _Dashin' Wave_ more'n twenty years ago."
The master of the _Tropic Bird_ blinked. "Gibney! Gibney!" he
murmured. "Why, I wonder if you're the same man. Are you the chap
that was king of Aranuka for six months and then abdicated for no
reason at all?"
"I was, sir," Mr. Gibney confessed shamefacedly. "I'm King Gibney
of Aranuka."
"What was your wife's name?"
"I called her Pinky for short.
Pages:
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179