Martin coughed a little before answering. In all his experience he had never before been asked to dress the skipper of a fishing vessel.
“I was told to say, sir, in case you asked, that you are aboard the mystery schooner, sir.”
“What! The mystery schooner that led the steamer that chase?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, by the great trawl hook! And I didn’t know it!”
“No, sir. Remember we came up behind the Nettie B., and when you were transferred you were made to sit facing away from this ship so you would not recognize her.”
“Then all the guns were fakes, and the whole business of a man-of-war as well?” cried Code, astonished almost out of his wits by this latest development in his fortunes.
“Yes, sir. The appearances were false, but as for seamanship, sir, this vessel could not do what she does were it not for the strict training aboard her, sir. I’ll wager our lads can out-maneuver and outsail any schooner of her tonnage on the seas, Gloucestermen included. The navy is easy compared to our discipline.”
“But what holds the men to it if it’s so hard?”