But Geordie held up his hand.
'I'd much rather be Potts, sir, thanking you all the same.'
'I couldn't do it,' replied the skipper. 'I was thinking that you might like me to put back to Melbourne?'
'Wot for, sir?' demanded the owner.
'So that you could go home in a P. & O. boat,' said old Smith.
'Thanking you kindly, sir,' replied Geordie, 'I'd rather stay in the Patriarch. I don't like steamers, and never did.'
He had a vague notion that the skipper wanted him to go home before the mast in one.
'Then you wish me not to put back, Mr. Potts?' said Smith.
'I'd very much rather not, sir,' replied Geordie. 'I'm very happy here, sir, and takin' it all round, the Patriarch's a comfortable ship, sir. May I go for'ard now, sir?'
He made a step for the cabin door.