“You will state your business to me, or you go over the side,” rapped out the harsh faced lieutenant.
“I will do neither one nor the other. I am here upon a special errand of much importance, and if Captain Jones is in the ship I demand to see him.”
The lieutenant burst into a tirade of abuse, which made Longsword stiffen and glare menacingly with his hand upon his hilt. But just then there came a light, brisk step upon the deck and a calm voice asked,
“Mr. Simpson, what is all this ado about?”
The first officer of the Ranger colored a trifle, and turning, said:
“This boy was impudent.”
“Ah! In what way?”
“He—he asked to see you.”
A low laugh of amusement greeted this statement.
“Well, I must say that I see no great impudence in that.” The speaker turned to Ethan, and continued: “Do you wish to speak to me?”