"Right you are," cried the man again; and Bob felt as if he should like to tell the man he ought to say, "You are right;" but the man went on, still looking him over from head to foot: "Then you aren't going to jyne the 'Flash'? she's a-lying out yonder."
"No," said the Skipper, "I am only going to see my father. He's the Captain."
To Bob's astonishment the man jumped up, pulled his forelock, and kicked out his right leg behind.
"Why didn't you say you was a orficer afore?" he cried. "Going to see your father, eh! Well, now, that is rum. I've just been to see my old mother at Ringwood, and going back to my ship—Old Bull."
"The what?" said Bob, who felt puzzled.
"Old Bull," said the man, picking up his cap and pointing to the letters on the riband; "Tore—hus means 'old bull,' you know."
"Oh, yes; I know now."
"That's your sort. How yer going to get aboard—boat waitin' for you?"
"Oh, no!" said Bob, looking at the man wistfully.
"Then you'll have to take one, and they're reg'lar sharks."