These things fell as they were foretold, and Dick
enjoyed himself to the utmost. It is allowable and even necessary at sea to lay
firm hold upon tables, stanchions, and ropes in moving from place to place. On
land the man who feels with his hands is patently blind. At sea even a blind
man who is not sea-sick can jest with the doctor over the weakness of his
fellows. Dick told the doctor many tales--and these are coin of more value than
silver if properly handled--smoked with him till unholy hours of the night, and
so won his short-lived regard that he promised Dick a few hours of his time
when they came to Port Said.
And the sea roared or was still as the winds blew, and the engines sang their
song day and night, and the sun grew stronger day by day, and Tom the Lascar
barber shaved Dick of a morning under the opened hatch-grating where the cool
winds blew, and the awnings were spread and the passengers made merry, and at
last they came to Port Said.
"Take me," said Dick, to the doctor, "to Madame Binat's--if you know where that
is."
"Whew!" said the doctor, "I do. There's not much to choose between 'em; but I
suppose you're aware that that's one of the worst houses in the place. They'll
rob you to begin with, and knife you later.
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