“We will try to avoid all eruptions,” replied the professor, smiling, for even he did not dream of what was so close at hand.
The boys found Captain Danvier just as sociable as Amos Strong had pictured him, and the worthy commander of the Vendee gave them permission to roam over the steamer at will. He could speak English fairly well and took a delight in explaining his nautical instruments and other things to them.
“’Tis verra nice for you to do ze traveling around,” he said. “And wid such a learned gentlemans as ze professair it is von double pleasure. He is ze fine gentlemans, I know heem well.”
“And so do we know him,” answered Darry. “He’s O. K.”
“O. K. Vot you means by zat?”
“Oh, I mean he is just the cheese,” said Darry, bound to have his fun.
The French captain looked more bewildered than ever. “De cheese? Ha, you mean de cheese to eat—de caise. But you no mean to eat him, no.”
“No, I mean he is just the ticket.”
“De ticket, vot is dat? De carte, eh? How is de professair de carte?”
“I didn’t say the professor was a card—or a bill of fare either. I mean he is just all right.”