AFEW DAYS might have passed here – the road West was long. But in time she inevitably resumed. 'The Barbary Corsairs were no less incredulous than you, Jack. But it was evident that the Personage was a man of tremendous power, whose wishes must be obeyed. Every day, some sailor who'd committed an infraction would be sentenced to dress the rotten fish for this man's private table. He'd drop to his knees and beg to be flogged, or keel-hauled, rather than carry out that duty. But always one would be chosen, and sent over the side, and down the ladder – '