“Yes. Long Tom and small-arms.”
“Oh, arms. Yes, I should certainly have one of those big swivel guns amidships, and a couple of smaller ones, as well as muskets, cutlasses and boarding pikes.”
So far the captain’s features seemed as if they had been carved out of solid mahogany, but now they began to relax; his lips parted, and he showed a small even set of beautifully white teeth, while his eyes looked brighter to Rodd and seemed to twinkle; but he remained silent.
“Well,” said the doctor, “what are you laughing at?”
He checked the word which had nearly escaped his lips, because he thought it would be rude, and he did not say grinning.
“Cat,” said the man solemnly, and to Rodd’s great discomposure he turned to him and winked.
“Cat?” said the doctor sharply.
“Ay, ay! Out of the bag.”
“I don’t understand you,” said the doctor warmly.
“Won’t do for me, master. Not in my way.”