“Oh!” I said, looking at him as one of great experience; “and did you go your other voyages in the Hull?”
“What other voyages?”
“That you went.”
“Who said I went any other voyages? I don’t brag. I only went that once, and it was enough for me. She’s being new rigged—and time, too. That’s why I’m to go out in this boat.”
“Then you don’t know the captain and officers?”
“I know you,” he replied, with a grin.
There was a period of silence, which my companion utilised by biting the sides of his nails, till I said—
“Shall we have to do anything to-day?”
“I d’know. I shan’t. Not likely. Don’t think much of this ship.”
“Don’t you think it’s a good one?” I ventured to ask, with the deference due to so much experience.