The worthy mayor of the city came off in the boat, wearing all the trappings of his office.
He clambered on deck with the usual awkwardness of a landsman, and bowed very low as he saluted Captain Hull.
The naval officer was blunt and honest.
He spoke to the point, and never weighed his words long.
He hated obsequiousness, and hesitated whether to deal with the mayor courteously or brusquely.
But his sense of good manners conquered, and he greeted the citizen with the greatest courtesy.
"How long wilt thou wait outside the harbor?" asked the mayor.
"One hour. The tide forbids me further delay," was the answer.
The mayor descended to the boat, and was rowed back to the city.