One of the pair was evidently the Japanese steward of the ship. The other was a tall, clean-cut young fellow, whose general appearance and lack of sunburn showed quite plainly that he was not a seafaring man by profession. The steward caught sight of Captain Elisha, and, walking over, accosted him.
“Want to see skipper, sir?” he asked, in broken English. “He ashore.”
“No, Doctor,” replied the captain, cheerfully. “I don’t want to see him. I’ve got no business aboard. It’s been some time since I trod the quarter-deck of a square-rigger, and I couldn’t resist the temptation of tryin’ how the planks felt under my feet. This is consider’ble of a clipper you’ve got here,” he added.
“Yes, sir,” replied the steward grinning.
“Where you from?” asked Captain Elisha.
“Singapore, sir.”
“Cargo all out?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Waitin’ for another one?”
“Yes, sir. We load for Manila bimeby.”