"Yon's the thaird pair o' sacks I've holed at the first wearin'. Gin I go on at this rate I'll no hae a pair to me name by the time we reach Singapore."
"I don't believe you've been listening to a word I've said!" exclaimed the girl, goaded to exasperation.
McPhulach looked up with an expression of mingled surprise and pain on his face.
"Wasna ye tellin' me that ye were goin' to tak' command o' the Hawk?"
"Yes."
"Then ye were wrang in saying I didna hear ye," he answered triumphantly.
"The point I want to get at," said the girl, trying hard to be patient, "is this. Can I depend on your support and assistance if necessary? I have made it all right with the crew. Will you be responsible for your men down below?"
The engineer did not answer immediately. Apparently he was turning the matter over in his mind.
"Ye'll be takin' upon ye'rsel' the privileges and powers of a skipper, I'm tae understand?" he inquired at last.
"Yes, since I shall be responsible for the navigation."