I kept staring at the skipper; he was silently staring at me. Neither would say the word he was anxious to say. A pause ensued.
"Well," I said at length, "I must be off. No more, thanks. 'Pegs' are likely to upset one in the dark; anyway, they don't steady one."
"P'raps not," he replied. "Well, so-long, mate; we'll meet sometimes, I hope."
"Certain! I see your sails are loosed, Eagan. I'd better be going. Ta-ta!"
"Good-night. Hallo! where's your boat?"
I rushed to the side. My sampan and the boatman had disappeared.
"Hang it! I say, skipper, send me ashore, please," I cried anxiously. "We may sail by daybreak."
"I'm just as sorry as sin, but I can't. My dinghy's ashore, and I've no time to man another. I guess you'll have to wait a while."
"What do you mean? Remain here? I can't."
"Guess ye must, Jule boy, till morning. Say, there's a signal. That's my boss comin' alongside. Show lights!" he called out. "Gangway!"