“Nay, I oughtn’t, sir. I’d a deal rayther have a word or two from you when you see things going wrong.”
“Why?” said Fitz quickly.
“I’ve telled you, sir. Doesn’t all you say come right? I’ve kinder got a sort o’ confidence in you, Mr Burnett, sir, as makes me feel as if I should like to be under you in some ship or another, and I aren’t the on’y one aboard as feels that, I’m sure.”
“Well, it’s very kind of you to put so much faith in me,” said the middy; “but don’t say any more, please, and don’t believe in me too much for fear I should make some horrible blunder, and disappoint you after all.”
“Ah, you won’t do that, sir,” said the carpenter confidently.
“Of course I shall be only too glad to help you if I can, for I should be very glad to see you float the vessel.”
“And you will keep an eye on what I do, sir, and put in a word if you think I’m going wrong?”
“If you wish it, yes,” replied Fitz.
“Thanky, sir,” whispered the man earnestly. “It may be the making of me, sir, and anyhow, as I have took up this job, I don’t want these Spaniel chaps to see an Englishman fail.”
“They shall not, Chips, if I can help it,” cried Fitz, warmly. “There now, let’s see whether the donkey-engine is able to keep the water down, or whether she’s lower in the water than she was.”