“We shan’t sleep together any more,” said Ned, in a desponding tone.
“No, Ned, I shall have to live aft; and that is not the worst of it; we shall now be in different watches.”
“I know it. I shall be in Mr. Baxter’s watch. And we used to have such good times in our watch on deck, talking about home, Pleasant Cove, and all the folks there. Walter, who do you like best of all the folks there, out of your own family?”
“Charlie Bell.”
“So do I, and well I might. He saved my life. Ain’t he handsome?”
“Yes; and just as good as he is handsome. A first rate wrestler—there’s none of the young ones can throw him but John Rhines and Ben Peterson.”
“What, this Ben aboard here?”
“Yes.”
“I’m afraid, if I call you Walter all the time when we are alone, that I shall forget to put the Sir on sometimes before the men.”
“If you do, I shan’t hit you on the head with a belaying pin.”