"We are going off without Captain Gildrock," said Tom Topover, after the sheets had been properly coiled up.
"Why shouldn't we?" asked Nim Splugger, to whom the remark had been addressed; for he was the only one of the remaining original Topovers who could hold his head up, Kidd Digfield having just succumbed to the malady, after holding out as long as he could.
Nearly one-half of the ship's company were seasick, and Captain Randolph had begun to fear that he might be short-handed before he returned to Burlington. Even some of the old students were sick.
"I think I could manage this thing as well as Matt Randolph," continued Tom Topover, looking into Nim's face with interest. "I know all about sailing a boat now. I have been out twice with Dory in the Goldwing, and he showed me how to steer her."
"I think I should rather have Matt than you in command," added Nim. "I can steer, but I shouldn't want to have to manage a boat of this size."
"I should like the fun of it; and, if our fellows were as good as they used to be, I would get hold of her, and have a cruise on our own hook," said Tom. (And it appeared that he had lost none of his former enterprise, however it might be with his late cronies.) "But they have all joined the church, and there is no more fun ahead for us."
"Joined the church!" exclaimed Nim.
"I mean old Gildrock's church. They are all as proper as lambs; and the fun has all gone out of them, you among the others, Nim Splugger."
"I think there is as much fun in me as there ever was," added Nim.
"Why don't you show your colors then? You are as meek as Moses."