"Who are you talking to?" demanded the first mate, who just then came forward.
"I was speaking to Cap'n Nelson, sir," was the reply.
"Who is he? Where is he?" asked the mate, roughly.
"There he stands, sir."
"Well, you just drop all that," said the officer, who was plainly very much surprised, "and hereafter bear in mind that there is only one captain aboard this ship and only one first mate. Get on deck, here. You belong to this watch!"
"Ay, ay, sir," replied Lucas. "Now here's a lubberly go, cap'n," he added in a low tone, as the mate went aft out of earshot.
"Be careful," said Frank, quickly. "Remember the mate's order and drop that title and all others when you speak to me. Just recollect that I occupy a lower position aboard this craft than you do, for you are an able seaman and I am not."
"But what craft is this and what's happened us?" asked the boatswain's mate, earnestly—"shanghaied?"
"Yes, and this ship is the Tycoon."
"I knew it," said the old sailor, striking his open palm with his clenched hand. "Serves me right."