“Simply in this manner,” replied Appadocca, “that if you allow me, I shall communicate with my chief officer, and request him to take care of your officer.”
“And how do you propose to do so,” asked the commander, after a considerable pause.
“Only with four flags,” answered Appadocca.
“What will you do with those?”
“I shall make signals with them.”
“But there is no vessel in sight.”
“No, my lord.”
“How, then, can your signals be of service?” inquired the commander.
“Pardon me, my lord, if I decline to answer this question. The sparrow by caution flies the heavens with the hawk.”
“I should suppose, sir, when you have now no prospect of ‘flying the heavens’ again,” said the commander, “you could have no objection to give us a piece of information, which cannot but be serviceable to us. However, make the signals, sir. Bring four flags there.”