"How came you here, sir? What monkey's trick is this?" cried the Captain angrily.
"You—you did no—bid me good-bye," said the boy feebly, with his eyes half-closed. "I came because—you were angry with me—say good-bye."
"Tut—tut—tut—tut!" said the Captain.
"Please forgive me, father. I haven't eaten anything—I—I feel so sick."
"My poor boy!" muttered the Captain, as he grasped the meaning of it all, and his eyes turned a little dim. "There, there, Bob, it was all a mistake. I was not angry with you. Come, come, hold up," he cried, with a smile which made the boy cling to his hand. "You a Skipper, and can't stand a sea like this? But do you know where you are?"
The boy could not trust himself to speak, but he nodded and pointed down to the cabin floor.
"Here," said the Captain, looking puzzled. "Yes, you are here sir. Do you know what a muddle you've made?"
Poor Bob groaned, and his father scratched his head.
"No help for it," muttered the Captain. "Must put in at Mount's Bay. Tut—tut—tut—tut!"
The faintly heard sound of the gong made him look up sharply. The vibration ceased, for the propeller had ceased to revolve.