and the heat was close the coolies lounged talked smoked or stared over the rail some drawing water over the side sluiced each other a few slept on hatches while several small parties of six sat on their heels

any rate she has lost the use of one side

and with a shake of his head said briefly gone sir clean gone broke his neck like a pipe stem most strange looking man and none of us can even guess at his age not a friend of yours i suppose nothing whatever to do with me sir

though he made no reply to the kind questions addressed to him or only answered them with an inconsequence that might have provoked mirth but there were wild words upon his lips that forbade it suggesting only serious thoughts