Kep Drummond stood gazing at her from the Hoe.
There was a sailor sitting on the end of a bench near by, and him Kep addressed. "What ship is that, mate?" he said.
"That is the Breezy, my son. She sails to-morrow."
"Do you belong to her?"
"Not I. Just come from China station."
"I think I should like to sail in that craft. There is a bit of romance about her, lying with her bowsprit pointing to the breakwater. I like her looks, and what a lot of boats are passing to and fro. How had I best get on board?"
"Why, with a shore-boat, of course. You don't imagine, do you, that they would call away the first whaler for a kinchin like you, though you do look pretty fit."
"Well, anyhow, I'm going to join that ship and sail in her."
The seaman laughed aloud.
"As what?" he asked. "Second lieutenant, paymaster, or what? Mebbe you'd like to take command of her. I'm sure you have only to wire the Admiralty to get appointed right away."