'I am afraid that is not possible,' Charlie remarked, thinking of the fisherman's bow legs and goatee beard.
'Why not? It isn't hard to pretend you are bandy-legged. Lots of boys pretend they are bandy-legged when they see me coming.'
'It would be rather tiring to have to continue the pretence for two or three weeks. Moreover, I haven't a beard.'
'You could say you had shaved it off.'
'That would mean that I should have to shave nothing every morning, just to keep up the deception. If I didn't, the crew would wonder why my beard didn't grow. But, joking apart, I am very anxious to make a trip in the Sparrow-hawk, and if you, at the last moment, will pretend that you are too ill to go aboard, and will send me as a substitute, I will pay you your wages, and give you a present as well.'
'I agree, sir,' the fisherman declared, promptly.
'When does the Sparrow-hawk sail?' Charlie asked.
'In two days' time.'
'Then I must buy my outfit to-morrow. Where shall I meet you to-morrow afternoon?'
'At the Fishermen's Home, sir.'