'A captain coming on board,' remarked someone.
An officer had his eye at the crack of the door. 'It's Dreadnought Foster,' he reported.
'He's a tail twister if ever there was one,' said a fat young officer, seated comfortably with his back to the bulkhead.
Again the pipes twittered.
'Harvey, of the dockyard,' reported the lookout.
The third captain followed immediately. 'It's Black Charlie Hammond,' said the lookout. 'Looking as if he'd lost a guinea and found sixpence.'
'Black Charlie?' exclaimed someone, scrambling to his feet in haste and pushing to the door. 'Let's see! So it is! Then here is one young gentleman who will not stay for an answer. I know too well what that answer would be. ''Six months more at sea, sir, and damn your eyes for your impertinence in presenting yourself for examination in your present state of ignorance.'' Black Charlie won't ever forget that I lost his pet poodle overside from the cutter in Port-o'-Spain when he was first of the Pegasus. Good-bye, gentlemen. Give my regards to the examining board.'
With that he was gone, and they saw him explaining himself to the officer of the watch and hailing a shore boat to take him back to his ship. 'One fewer of us, at least,' said the clerkly officer. 'What is it, my man?'
'The board's compliments, sir,' said the marine messenger, 'an' will the first young gentleman please to come along?'
There was a momentary hesitation; no one was anxious to be the first victim.