"It was on your account, then, that we lost two hours in tacking between the islands, at the risk of running on to a reef, instead of attending to our business?"
"What do you mean by business? Are you a smuggler at present?"
"I am everything," Michael replied, laconically, emptying his glass.
"But what the deuce are you doing here?" asked the Major.
"What are you?" the sailor said, answering one question by another.
"I—I?" the Major began, in embarrassment.
"You hesitate!" Michael continued, banteringly. "Well, I will tell you, if you like."
"You, Michael?"
"Why not? You went to St. Honorat to admire the beauties of nature," and he burst into a hearty laugh. "Is it not so?"
"Yes. I have always passionately admired the picturesque. But that reminds me. I have forgotten to tell skipper Nicaud where I wish him to land me."