“Wait till I have done with you.”
“I beg your honor’s pardon, but I always obey the captain,” replied the boatswain; and touching his hat, and scraping his right foot across the floor, he hastened on deck.
“Stop!” called Mr. Primback. “I have something more to say to you.”
“I will see your honor as soon as I can,” added the boatswain; and he ran up the steps.
Mr. Marline could see that the professor was very unreasonable, considering there was a steamer in distress depending upon the Tritonia for assistance. He touched his hat to the captain, and waited for further orders.
“What do you think of the sea now, Mr. Marline?” asked Wainwright.
“It has improved a good deal during the last hour.”
“Do you think it is prudent to get out a boat?”
“I think it is as good weather as we are likely to have for some time,” replied Marline, looking at the sky and the sea.
“Then we will board the steamer.”