"You will find me a good scholar at that," I replied.
I asked no questions, as he evidently wished me to do. I had parted with him when we left the Ohio, but I had no idea where he had been since that time. His explanation showed me why Captain Farraday had been so anxious to have me go with him, and I felt that I had walked into the trap very blindly.
"That's all, Phil. We shall be even soon. Now we will go on deck. Where's your trunk?"
"On deck, I believe."
I followed him on deck. The bark was under all sail, and driving rapidly over the blue waves. Far away in the distance I saw some hills, which the darkness soon shut out from my view. The drunken crew had certainly improved wonderfully since I had seen them last, for all were quiet and orderly. I found my trunk, and was ordered to carry it to the forecastle. A bunk near the door was assigned to me, and I put my trunk under it.
"How do you like this?" asked the mate.
"Very well," I replied.
"Very well? Is that the way you address your officer? If you ever speak to me or the second mate without a 'sir,' you will get knocked down for your impudence. Do you understand that?"
"I do, sir."
"That's better. Now open your trunk; and let's see what you have in it."