“Sir, I’m sure it’s too serious a business to joke about.”
“Do you have the assurance to say, that you, as a regularly shipped man, have been on board this vessel ever since she sailed from Falmouth, ten months ago?”
“Sir, anxious to secure a berth under so good a commander, I was among the first to enlist.”
“What ports have we touched at, sir?” said the captain, now in a little softer tone.
“Ports, sir, ports?”
“Yes, sir, ports”
Israel began to scratch his yellow hair.
“What ports, sir?”
“Well, sir:—Boston, for one.”
“Right there,” whispered a midshipman.