"Ahoy, below! How you coming?" called Samuel, leaning down to look at Nikobo. The hippopotamus wagged her huge head.
"Fine! Just fine, Mate," she wheezed pleasantly.
"Hah! Good for you!" Samuel's face broke into a broad grin as Kobo remembered to call him "Mate." "We'll make an able-bodied seawoman of you yet, my lass!"
CHAPTER 8
Maxims for Monarchs
When Ato, banging boisterously on an iron frying pan with a wooden spoon, summoned all hands to dinner, Samuel and Roger responded with a rush. But Tandy remained sitting gloomily on his bunk.
"Now what's the matter?" demanded Samuel Salt as Roger, sent to call the young voyager, came flying back to the table.