“Ay, ay,” said the mate, earnestly.
“And that’s your mate,” George, said Zingall, pointing to the deeply interested Bradd.
“Ay, ay,” said the mate again, with a sigh.
“Take command, then,” said Zingall, leaving him with a satisfied air and seating himself on the locker.
The mate sat up and looked about him with an air of quiet authority.
“George,” he said, turning suddenly to the skipper with a very passable imitation of his voice.
“Sir,” said the skipper, with a playful glance at Zingall.
“A friend o’ mine named Cap’n Zingall is coming aboard to-night,” said the mate, slowly. “Get a little whisky for him out o’ my state-room.”
“Ay, ay, sir,” said the amused Bradd.
“Just a little in the bottom of the bottle ’ll do,” continued the mate; “don’t put more in, for he drinks like a fish.”