"What do you mean?" said Todd. "Do you speak to me?"
The voice had sounded close to him; and now again, with an angry tone, it cried—
"Some one has got hold of my leg!"
"Oh, I dare say I have," said Todd, "but I didn't know. There, I have left go. Who are you, sir, eh?"
"Oh! don't bother!"
"Well, but is there any danger?"
"Danger! I rather think there is. I suppose you are the love of a passenger that the captain brought on board?"
"Yes, I am the passenger," said Todd. Why he should be called a love of a passenger he did not exactly know; but he repeated his question concerning the condition of the ship; and at the next lull of wind, for it came now very strangely in gusts, he got a not very consolatory reply.
"Why, as to danger," said the man, "that's rather past, I reckon; but, perhaps, you are a landsman, and have not yet thoroughly made up your mind."
"To what?"