"The Narcissus is not leaving to-day?" she asked of the foremost sailor.
The man touched his cap. "Not to-day, lady."
"When does she leave?"
"Well, that's more nor I can say, lady, but the cap'n of the main-top, yander, 'e knows."
She approached the captain of the main-top. "When does the Narcissus leave?" she asked.
He looked her up and down, at first glance with something like boldness, but instantly he touched his hat.
"To-morrow, mistress—she leaves at 'igh tide tomorrow."
With an eye for a fee or a bribe, he drew a little away from the others, and said to her in a low tone: "Is there anything what I could do for you, mistress? P'r'aps you wanted some word carried aboard, lady?"
She hesitated an instant, then said: "No-no, thank you."
He still waited, however, rubbing his hand on his hip with mock bashfulness. There was an instant's pause, then she divined his meaning.