"You think—it's—it's—all right?"
"What?"
"What I done about a mate?"
"Right?" I reiterated. "Here's my hand to you—blessing on the voyage, Captain Jack Battle!"
"Ah," smiled Jack, "you've been to the wilderness—you understand! Other folks don't! That is the way it happens out there!"
He lingered as of old when there was more to come.
"Ramsay?"
"Sail away, captain!"
"Have you seen Hortense?" he asked, looking straight at me.
"Um—yes—no—that is—I have and I haven't."