"Report t' you, sir," said he, in a surprisingly gruff voice; and at the same time he pulled the lobe of his right ear, which was his invariable manner of salute.
Sir Archibald and Captain Hand were in close consultation for half an hour; during all of which time the burly captain's eyes were thickly screened by his eyebrows.
"Oh, I sees, sir—I sees," said he, rising, at the end of it. "Oh, ay! Of course, sir—of course!"
"And you'll take good care?" Sir Archibald began, almost tenderly.
"Oh, ay!" heartily. "I ain't no nurse, as I tells you fair; but you needn't worry about him, sir."
"His mother will be anxious. She'll hold you responsible, captain."
Captain Hand violently pulled the lobe of his right ear, and turned to go. At the door he halted. "Tim Tuttle o' Raggles Island has turned up again, sir," he said, "an' wants t' be shipped."
"Tuttle?" muttered Sir Archibald. "He's the man who led the mutiny on the Never Say Die. Well, as you will, captain."
"Oh, I'll ship him!" said the captain, grimly; and with a last pull at his ear he disappeared.