“Well, so far as I can see, the only thing for you to do is to miss the ship this trip,” said the mate, without looking at him. “I can take her out all right.”
“I won’t,” said the skipper, interrupting fiercely.
“Very well, you’ll be nabbed,” said the mate.
“You’ve been wanting to handle this craft a long time,” said the skipper fiercely. “You could ha’ got rid of him if you’d wanted to. He’s no business down my cabin.”
“I tried everything I could think of,” asseverated the mate.
“Well, he’s come down on my ship without being asked,” said the skipper fiercely, “and, damme, he can stay there. Cast off.”
“But,” said the mate, “s’pose—”
“Cast off,” repeated the skipper. “He’s come on my ship, and I’ll give him a trip free.”
“And where are you and the mate to sleep?” inquired the cook, who was a man of pessimistic turn of mind, and given to forebodings.
“In your bunks,” said the skipper brutally. “Cast off there.”