“Who shall I say, sir?” demanded one, who appeared to be the first mate.
“Who?” replied Philip: “tell him his son would speak to him, his son, Philip Vanderdecken.”
Shouts of laughter from the crew followed this answer of Philip’s; and the mate, as soon as they ceased, observed with a smile.
“You forget, sir, perhaps you would say his father.”
“Tell him his son, if you please,” replied Philip; “take no note of grey hairs.”
“Well, sir, here he is coming forward,” replied the mate, stepping aside and pointing to the captain.
“What is all this?” inquired the captain.
“Are you Philip Vanderdecken, the captain of this vessel?”
“I am, sir,” replied the other.
“You appear not to know me! But how can you? you saw me but when I was only three years old; yet may you remember a letter which you gave to your wife.”