"Rather," said the first man.
"Oh no, he's tired," said the second. "'E allows 'e can't find no one to lick 'im. 'E never could."
"Oh, that's his complaint, is it?" said Smith. "And is he as good as he was?"
"I heerd him tell the first luff on'y the other day as 'e reckoned to be a better man now than he was twenty years ago. And I believes 'im. 'Ard? Oh my! I do believe if 'e ran agin a lamp-post he'd fight through it."
It was enough for Smith to know that the admiral was still keen on fighting. To draw a man like that would not be so difficult. When he had turned the two naval seamen into the street, he called for the runner.
"Have you found out what I told you?"
"Yes," replied Bill. "He mostly comes down and goes off at eleven."
"Is he alone?"
"Mostly he has a young chap with him. I reckon they calls him the flag-lieutenant: a kind of young partner he seems to be. But that's the only one so far. And the California sails day after ter-morrer, bright and early."
"Couldn't be better," said Smith. "After waitin' all these years I can't afford to lose no time. Thishyer racket comes off to-night. Look out, Mr. Bully Admiral! I'm on your track."