"Mr. Pillgrim did not intend to capture her."
"He did not, sartinly."
"Suppose I had permitted this vessel to go on her way, to run the blockade, which she could have done as easily as a hundred others have done the same thing, at the same place, and then come out as a man-of-war."
"But Mr. Pillgrim was your superior officer, and he was responsible, not you."
"I carried out my orders to the letter, Tom."
"Did you?"
"To the letter, I said."
"Were you ordered to shoot Mr. Pillgrim?"
"Yes, if necessary."
"Thank'ee, Mr. Somers. You have taken a weight heavier than the best bower off my stomach. I'd rather be where Jonah was—in the whale's belly—than see any harm come to you. I feel better now."