“No, but he’s going there this voyage.”
“This voyage?” I repeated questioningly, after Sam had said the words.
“Aye, laddie; he’s got a bran’ new ship, which the owners of the Esmeralda have had built, and just made him skipper of. And, what do you think, laddie?”
“I’m sure I can’t tell,” said I.
“He’s going to have a bran’ new second mate, who he hears has just got his certificate from the Trinity House Board—that is, if he’ll accept the berth under his old captain.”
“What!” I exclaimed, breathless with excitement, “does he offer to take me with him as he promised?”
“Aye, laddie, the berth’s open to you if you’ll have it, he says. Will you go?”
“Go?” I repeated, “of course I will!”
And so it came about that I am going to sail under my old skipper again.