“Didn’t see no face, sir. Didn’t notice.”
Toby ran a handkerchief over his forehead. Hogge had come up.
“Well? Mustered the hands?”
“Owlett’s gone, sir.”
“Owlett? Sure he’s not away in the boat?”
“No, sir; ’e’s not in the boat, sir.”
“Right.... Was every man warned not to go aft of the steadying lines?”
“Yes, sir. Accordin’ to your orders, sir.”
“You could swear to that, if need be?”
“Swear’t on the Bible, sir. Warned this Owlett meself, sir. Never was one to take ’eed.”