“You!” I said. “You!”
“Myself,” Conseil replied, “and at master’s command.”
“That collision threw you overboard along with me?”
“Not at all. But being in master’s employ, I followed master.”
The fine lad thought this only natural!
“What about the frigate?” I asked.
“The frigate?” Conseil replied, rolling over on his back. “I think master had best not depend on it to any great extent!”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that just as I jumped overboard, I heard the men at the helm shout, ‘Our propeller and rudder are smashed!’ ”
“Smashed?”