“You would make a pretty good sailor, Alexis,” Chester told him.
The Cossack drew himself up and strutted proudly for several moments.
“Of course I would,” he said. “It is nothing new to me.”
“Nothing new!” exclaimed Hal in some surprise.
“No,” replied Alexis.
“You mean you have been a sailor?” demanded Chester.
“Certainly. Of course the commander of this vessel did a fair piece of work a few moments ago; but I could tell him a few things. Why, when I commanded a ship in the battle of—”
“Enough! Enough!” cried Hal, throwing up his hands in protest.
“Do you doubt my word?” demanded Alexis fiercely.
“Not at all,” Hal hastened to assure him. “But, Alexis; have you learned yet what ‘drawing the long bow’ means?”