It was a habit he had when engaged in serious consideration, and Roderic, who had studied the old sea dog to advantage, felt sure there would be some result to this incubation.
Nor was he wrong in his surmise.
"Well, it could be done, sir," he said.
"I knew I could trust you to help me out, Heaven bless you, old chap," said Owen, at once diving for the captain's hand and wringing it with impetuous ardor quite unlike his usual self possessed manner; but Cupid has wrought more marvelous changes than this in men.
"It would not do to go prowling around the craft at this hour of the night—we might be suspected of being Yankee spies and fired upon."
"That is true," assented Owen, knowing full well the captain would not stop there.
"Now, I know Captain Shackelford well, and it wouldn't be strange for me to run over to shake hands with the old war dog. Besides, a sailor has respect for another man's affection regarding a craft he has made several voyages on, and he'd understand why I want to tread the deck of the Castle once again. It revives recollections, you know, and throws a man back years."
"Just so," commented Roderic, encouragingly.
"Well, so far, good. Now, if so be you could change your looks a little bit——"