"Eh, sir!" he exclaimed. "I've just had a wonderful dream. We wur havin' fried bacon, an' taters an' all. I could smell 'en, real as anythin'-like, an' it doesn't haf smell good."
"'Fraid that's as far as you'll get just now," replied Alwyn with a laugh. "Come on! Biscuits and bully is our mark."
He glanced at the well-filled foresail and then to windward.
"May as well get the rest of the canvas set," he remarked. "The breeze is moderating a bit."
Lashing the helm the Third Officer assisted Minalto in the task of hoisting the standing lug. Before this was accomplished Hilda, disturbed by the noise, awoke and crawled from under the awning.
"Good morning!" she exclaimed.
"Mornin' to you, young Teddy," replied Jasper, touching his trailing forelock, while Alwyn removed his cap from his shock of tousled hair.
"Young Bill's shaved this morning," she continued with a disarming smile. "I'm sorry to have to say that Mr. Burgoyne has not."
"I thought I once heard you remark," rejoined Alwyn, "that you were rather partial to beards!"
"Yes, torpedo beards, tawny for preference," admitted the girl.