After a time he dreamed that he was in a forest where bass drums grew on trees. There came a strong wind that banged the fruit about like empty pods. A frightful din was in his ears.
He awoke to find the captain of the schooner standing over him.
“We’re at New York now,” said the captain, raising his voice above the thumping and banging that was being done on deck, “an’ I s’pose you fellers wanta go ashore.” He chuckled in an exasperating manner. “Jes’ sing out when yeh wanta go,” he added, leering at the freckled man.
The tall man awoke, came over and grasped the captain by the throat.
“If you laugh again I’ll kill you,” he said.
The captain gurgled and waved his legs and arms.
“In the first place,” the tall man continued, “you rescued us in a deucedly shabby manner. It makes me ill
