"Called for scheedam?"
"Yes, sir, and said you had lost the carving-knife."
"Did I?" replied Vanslyperken, afraid that he had committed himself. "I have been ill, very ill," continued he, putting his hand up to his forehead. "By-the-bye, Smallbones, did you bring in that pot of paint?" said Vanslyperken, adroitly.
"No, sir, I didn't, because I tumbled overboard, pot and all," replied Smallbones.
"Tumbled overboard! why, I did not leave the ship till afterwards, and I heard nothing about it."
"No, sir, how could you?" replied Smallbones, who was all prepared for this explanation, "when the tide swept me past the saluting battery in a moment."
"Past the saluting battery?" exclaimed Vanslyperken, "why, how were you saved?"
"Because, thanks to somebody, I be too light to sink. I went out to the Nab buoy, and a mile ayond it."
"The Nab buoy!" exclaimed Vanslyperken.
"Yes, and ayond it, afore the tide turned, and then I were swept back again, and came into harbour again, just half-an-hour afore you come aboard."