“Oh, but I shouldn’t mind that,” said Syd, thoughtfully. “I say.”
“Well.”
“Couldn’t you manage to smuggle me off in your boat?”
“I could; but look here, you are the captain’s son. Go and ask leave to go, even if you have to come back in the boats.”
“Oh, yes; I’m the captain’s son,” said Sydney, bitterly; “and that’s the very reason why I should not be allowed.”
“What, for fear you should be eaten up by the shark this time?”
“Joke away; you’re all right,” said Syd, sulkily.
“Don’t take it like that, Belton, old fellow,” said Roylance, laying his hand upon his arm. “I’d a hundred times rather have you than Terry. I say, look! here’s the first luff. I know he likes us fellows to be eager to learn our profession. Go and ask him to let you go.”
“Shall I?” said Syd, hesitatingly.
“Yes; go along. He seems always harsh and rough with everybody, but he isn’t a bad one when you come to know him.”