Up and down, fore and aft, the two walked together, and the girl thought she could never tire listening to the mate's strange stories of the sea, while he was quite as pleased to have so innocent and sweet a listener.
So a whole hour passed quickly by, and then something happened. A full-rigged ship was seen bearing towards them from afar, very close-hauled and with snow-white sails.
'A Yankee from Bergen, I'll lay my last sixpence on that. I'll try to speak her if she crosses our hawse, and tell her you are safe.—Ben!' he shouted. 'Ben, my boy, look lifty.'
'Ay, ay, sir.'
'Bring my megaphone.[D] Sharp's the word, lad; quick's the action.'
Next minute Ben had hurried aft, and presented his superior officer with a large tea-tray and a lump of chalk.
'A very old-fashioned arrangement,' he said, 'but does well enough for us.'
In huge letters on the back of his 'megaphone,' as he grandly termed it, he hastily wrote:
'Timber-ship Nor'lan' Star—Capt. Paterson.
'Child girl picked up at sea,
Which her name is Lotty Lee.
'Report to Lloyds.'