Just then an officer of the ship, in his walk up and down the deck, passed near to where Rollo was sitting, and Rollo instinctively determined to ask him.
"Will you please tell me, sir, what that striking means?"
"It's five bells," said the man; and so walked on.
Chapter VI.
A Conversation.
Rollo at first felt quite disappointed that the officer seemed so little disposed to give him information; but immediately after the officer had gone another man came by, one of the passengers, as Rollo supposed, who proved to be more communicative. He wore a glazed cap and a very shaggy greatcoat. He sat down by the side of Jennie, Rollo being on the other side, and said,—
"He does not seem inclined to tell you much about the bells, does he, Rollo?"