"Glad to see you, Mr Sprawl; sit down, and take wine."
After a pause—
"Do you think, if the breeze holds, that we shall make the land again before morning, Mr Sprawl?"
"No, sir, for we have run thirty miles off since morning, and there is no appearance of any wind at present; but we should be able, notwithstanding, to beat up to it by noon to-morrow."
"Very well. Pray, Mr Lanyard, how many men, counting the strangers, are there on board?"
"Thirty-three, sir, all told."
"And the gun she carries?"
"A long twelve, sir, with a six-inch howitzer affair fitted forward, for throwing grape."
"Do you think you could stow ten men more, comfortably?"
Dick had been on board of his new command before he came down, and had made such passing observations as the time permitted.