"True, lad, but that cannot be helped. The law would not allow me to sign a crew with a ship that was not seaworthy."
"Then we'll have a long lay-off when we reach Nagasaki."
"Exactly, Larry. But I shan't keep you. If you want to go elsewhere——"
"Not on another sailing vessel, Captain Ponsberry. But you know how it is with Luke Striker and myself. Ever since we were in our own navy we have had a hankering after warships, and——"
"And you think of joining the Japanese navy?" put in the master of the schooner, quickly.
"That's it. You know how I spoke of joining the army with Ben and Gilbert."
"To be sure—and I told you I couldn't spare you."
"But now, if you haven't any use for me any longer——"
"Why, Larry, if you want to fight for Japan, go ahead and fight!" ejaculated Captain Ponsberry. "I don't blame you. I'd fight myself if I was a younger man and hadn't any obligations on my shoulders. I suppose Ben is doing great things in the army and you'd like to match him in the navy, eh?"
"If I join the navy I'll do my best."