'I thought you'd know me, Hoey. Are they aboard?'
'You mean the master and wife, sir?'
'No one else,' said the commander.
'They are not, then, and we've been here fooling around this buoy five days.'
'You're mate of this ship, aren't you?' said the commander.
'Yes, sir,' answered the man, with something of a lumpish grin.
'How many mates have you?'
'Myself and another.'
'I mean to remain on board until the arrival of my daughter, and then,' said the commander firmly, almost to grimness, 'shall ask you, Bill Hoey, to set me and her ashore at our home, which is a good way down Channel, as of course you know.'
'I've signed articles under Captain Jackman. I can take no liberties, I am afraid.'