“Then I will, my boy,” said the captain, looking at his son curiously, for he could not understand his willingness to part with his ugly favourite. “He shall be well treated so long as he behaves himself.”
“But you can’t take the dog without his master,” said Mark, smiling.
“Oh, that’s it! is it?” said the captain. “I thought there was something behind. Well, that was news for you,” he continued.
“News?”
“Yes, that Billy Widgeon brought. I was afraid that we should be crowded in the cabin and I was beginning to regret my promise to take you; but Mr Gregory writes me word that a gentleman and his wife and daughter who were coming with us as far as Singapore have backed out, to go by one of the fast mail-boats, so we shall have plenty of room.”
“That’s capital!” cried Mark. “Mr Gregory is the second-mate, isn’t he?”
“First-mate now, my boy. He was second-mate, but my first-mate is now in command of another vessel, and I was afraid he would take all my old crew.”
“But he does not, father, because that sailor said—”
“Yes; the crew stay with me to a man.”