“Master Hal? Why, he’s all right, sir.”
“He is, eh?” The captain’s hands were clenched with nervousness.
Ezra nodded assent.
“Don’t ye worry none about Master Hal,” said he gravely. “Worry’s wuss’n a dozen leaks an’ no pump. Ef ye must worry, worry somebody else.”
“What’s the boy doing? Drinking again?”
“Not a drink, cap’n. Now my idea about liquor is—”
“Judas priest!” interrupted Briggs. “You’ll drive me crazy! If the world was coming to an end you’d argue with Gabriel. You say Hal’s not touched it this morning?”
“Nary drop, sir.”
“Oh, that’s good news!”