"Very well, Mr. Chairman; but will you let the Salihé without the captain or engineer?" inquired Louis.
"Sergeant Files told me as 'ow the Guardian-Mother was owned by a young gentleman in his teens as was sailing in 'er. With all due respect, which is the gentleman as owns 'er?" inquired Chickworth, touching his tarpaulin at random to the big four, as Captain Ringgold sometimes facetiously called them, evidently borrowing the term from a western railroad folder.
With one accord Felix, Morris, and Scott pointed at Louis, as though they were rehearsing a Scriptural tableau of what Nathan said unto David: "Thou art the man!"
"Which his name it is Mr. Belgrave," added Chickworth, taking off his tarpaulin and bowing low to the young gentleman indicated by his companions, for he had more respect for millions than for birth and attainments.
"My name is Louis Belgrave, at your service, Mr. Commander of the Salihé," replied the young millionaire, laughing heartily at the pantomime of his friends and the obsequiousness of the skipper.
"I knowed it was you, sir, from the gentility which it is marked on your honor's face, and shows itself in every motion you make," gushed Mr. Chickworth. "My name which it is Giles Chickworth."
"Mr. Chairman, I move that you use no more blarney; and I should say you had kissed the Blarney stone if you were an Irishman."
"The motion is not seconded, and I can't put it to the 'ouse," said the skipper.
"Put it to yourself and not to the house, and I shall be satisfied. Now, Mr. Giles Chickworth, let us talk business. Will you let the steam-yacht without captain or engineer?"
"Which I will do with the greatest pleasure in the world to a gentleman with millions in his trousers' pocket; for if you wreck or injure the beauty of a craft, you will pay for 'er like the Christian you are."