The captain, seated at a desk, turned around in his chair, surveying the boys critically.
"You certainly are not very handsome to look at," was his comment, uttered in a gruff tone.
"No, sir, not very," admitted Steve, flushing as he looked down at his soiled clothes.
"Do we have to dress up on this ship?" demanded Jarvis, with some heat.
"You will have to do one thing—preserve a respectful attitude toward the commanding officer, and take orders without giving any back talk," replied the master, eyeing the boy sternly.
"We aren't working on this ship."
"Perhaps you think you are not, but you are."
"We are working, or going to work, on the 'Wanderer,'" answered Bob.
"That is what I am saying. This is the 'Wanderer.'"