"Yes, sir," said the midshipman, saluting. He turned away and not long after reappeared on deck with his suit case. The shore boat was ordered away and was soon skimming off over the water.
"Confound the fellow," said Ned to Herc as they watched the craft making its way over the bay, "I didn't want to let him go; but after all, I'd rather have his room than his company any day."
"I'd have kept him aboard and worked him up to the king's taste," said Herc with positiveness. "I've no more use for him than I have for a snake in the grass, or for what I compared him to before."
"After all, though, there is no possible way he could injure us," declared Ned. "Such fellows as he is generally end by hurting themselves more than the folks they have it in for."
"That may all be as true as a preacher's words, Ned," declared Herc, "but we owe it to ourselves to look out for him."
"Oh, that part of it is all right. But come on now, I'm going to get ready for the trip that I'm going to take to-night myself."
"I wish I were going with you," said Herc.
"Just think, you'll be able to lord it over the ship as a skipper all the time I'm gone," laughed Ned.
"I'm afraid a skipper with a red head won't get as much respect as you do, Ned, but I'll do my best."