A strange look came over the old salt's face. He stepped forward and burst out with:
"I guess I've met Captain Brisco before, but that wasn't his name—then!"
Captain Brisco started back as though a shot had been fired near him.
CHAPTER VII
JEPSON IS WORRIED
For an instant only did the commander of the Mary Ellen show signs of perturbation. He recovered himself with an effort, hardly obvious to the moving picture girls who were watching. It was as though a cloud had passed over the sun so quickly as to give an observer no time to glance up and see it, before the shadow was gone. Then Captain Brisco smiled.
"I think you've made a mistake, my man," he said, with the air of one used to commanding. "I'm sure I don't know you, whether or not you think you have had the pleasure of my acquaintance. How about it?"
He turned a sharp look on Jack Jepson, and the latter faltered.
"Well—well, maybe I am mistaken," he said slowly. "But I sure did take you for an old shipmate of mine. I sure did—an old shipmate," and he spoke the words slowly.