At the moment of the blow , the stern had been thrown into the air , and the man -LRB- having his hands free , and for all he was encumbered with a frieze overcoat that came below his knees -RRB- had leaped up and caught hold of the brig 's bowsprit . It showed he had luck and much agility and unusual strength , that he should have thus saved himself from such a pass . And yet , when the captain brought him into the round-house , and I set eyes on him for the first time , he looked as cool as I did . He was smallish in stature , but well set and as nimble as a goat ; his face was of a good open expression , but sunburnt very dark , and heavily freckled and pitted with the small-pox ; his eyes were unusually light and had a kind of dancing madness in them , that was both engaging and alarming ; and when he took off his great-coat , he laid a pair of fine silver-mounted pistols on the table , and I saw that he was belted with a great sword . His manners , besides , were elegant , and he pledged the captain handsomely . Altogether I thought of him , at the first sight , that here was a man I would rather call my friend than my enemy . The captain , too , was taking his observations , but rather of the man 's clothes than his person . And to be sure , as soon as he had taken off the great-coat , he showed forth mighty fine for the round-house of a merchant brig : having a hat with feathers , a red waistcoat , breeches of black plush , and a blue coat with silver buttons and handsome silver lace ; costly clothes , though somewhat spoiled with the fog and being slept in . `` I 'm vexed , sir , about the boat , '' says the captain . `` There are some pretty men gone to the bottom , '' said the stranger , `` that I would rather see on the dry land again than half a score of boats . '' `` Friends of yours ? '' said Hoseason . `` You have none such friends in your country , '' was the reply . `` They would have died for me like dogs . '' `` Well , sir , '' said the captain , still watching him , `` there are more men in the world than boats to put them in . '' `` And that 's true , too , '' cried the other , `` and ye seem to be a gentleman of great penetration . '' `` I have been in France , sir , '' says the captain , so that it was plain he meant more by the words than showed upon the face of them . `` Well , sir , '' says the other , `` and so has many a pretty man , for the matter of that . '' `` No doubt , sir , '' says the captain , `` and fine coats . '' `` Oho ! ''
XXXXX the stranger , `` is that how the wind sets ? ''
's came leaped pitted put saw says spoiled taking took