"Well, my early morning friend, what is your wish?"
Anthony looked up. A small man, dark of skin, and in a red mob-cap, leaned over the rail amidships and eyed him with disapproval.
"A SMALL MAN ... LEANED OVER THE RAIL AMIDSHIPS, AND EYED HIM WITH DISAPPROVAL."
"To come aboard," said Anthony.
There were some steps let down from the schooner's side, and he quietly climbed them. The small man met him at the rail and put out a protesting hand.
"It is forbidden!" said he. "This is the French republican ship Le Mousquet, and not a merchantman."
Anthony put the hand aside.