They went up the alleyway and met a short, thin man, wearing a stained blue jacket and greasy trousers. He stopped and studied them, without surprise.
"Weel?" he said. "Are ye going to a fancy ball?"
"We want to borrow some clothes; dungarees, overalls, anything you've got," said Kit. "We had to give up a swimming match and couldn't reach my ship, astern of you."
"The little Spanish mailboat? Ye're with Macallister?"
"Of course. He got up the match, although I think he didn't start."
"It's verra possible," said the other dryly. "Mack canna swim. But if ye are friends o' his, I must get ye clothes."
Kit thanked him, and then, looking at the man thoughtfully, added that he doubted if the things would fit.
"I wasna meaning to lend ye my clothes," the engineer replied. "If ye're no fastidious, the second's aboot your size. Since he's occupied below, I dinna think he'll mind."
He took them into the mess-room, gave them some white clothes, and went off, remarking: "Ye'll be ready to go ashore with the water-boat. When they've filled my tanks we start."
"He won't start for some time," said Nelson. "You see, until we were on the mole, I forgot to tell Felix they wanted water. Jardine sent the coal, but the water's my job."