"I want to know!" he said, thawing perceptibly. "Old Maria Ann's afloat yit, but Standifer's gone; run down in a dory in a fog." Then, lowering his voice: "You don't belong to this New York clanjamfry, do ye?"
"Not strictly speaking; I signed on in New Orleans."
"Know these waters putty middlin' well?"
"I've sailed them a few times."
"Friend o' Cap'n Van Dyck's, I cal'late?"
"As good a friend as he has on earth, I hope."
At this the old sea dog thrust an arm in mine and led me aft until we were out of earshot from the bridge.
"What d' ye know about this here winter cruise?" He fired the question at me belligerently.
"About its course and destination? Little or much, as you choose to put it. What should I know?"
He paid no attention to my question.