“I’m not, sir,” retorted the midshipman angrily. “What are our weapons of war for unless to use?”
“Oh yes; of course, when they are wanted. If I were a captain I shouldn’t shrink for a minute about firing broadsides and sinking our enemies in times of necessity, any more than I should have minded burning out such a hornets’ nest as that yonder; but the captain was quite right over this business. Look at the wretched creatures, regularly defeated.”
“They’ve been allowed to escape, sir,” said Roberts haughtily, “and I feel ashamed of our commander.”
“I don’t,” said Murray, laughing. “I think he’s a peculiar eccentric fellow, ready to say all kinds of unnecessary things; but he’s as brave as a lion—braver, for I believe lions are precious cowards sometimes.”
“Pooh!” ejaculated Roberts.
“And the more I know of him the better I like him.”
“And I like him the less, and I shall never rest till I can get an exchange into another ship.”
“I don’t believe you,” said Murray, laughing merrily.
“You don’t! Why—”
“Pst! The skipper,” whispered Murray.