"Good morning, young gentlemen. I hope you rested well after your unfortunate experience. The captain says you are to have the run of the ship. Make yourselves at home, and if there is anything that I can do to add to your pleasure, pray call upon me without reserve."
His voice was soft, and he spoke with a great politeness of manner.
"He's too smooth," whispered Mason. "He will bear watching."
The mate did not seem inclined to further conversation. He bowed again, waved his hand as if to indicate that the ship was theirs, and turned and walked to the bridge.
The boys looked around them. There was nothing to be seen but an expanse of water. There was not a sign of land or a vessel. The storm of the night before had subsided, except that the waves were still running high under a brightly shining sun. Harry put his hand to his eyes to shade them, and scanned the horizon in every direction, but there was not even a speck to be seen.
"The captain was right when he said there was not much danger of losing our company," he said, as he finished his observation.
"Unless we jump over and swim for it."
"What would we swim for?"
"I am very well satisfied to keep the planks under my feet and wait for something to turn up."
"Me, too," piped the Midget. "Let's make a round of the ship."