“Agreeable.”
“We’ll carry the schooner home, sir,” said the little fellow, addressing me.
“You two?”
“Say us four, sir. There’s a two-man power for each hand a-coming out of such a salvage job as this.”
I observed some of my men gaze about them thirstily and enviously and a little gloomily.
“Are you resolved?” said I, looking at the fellow, doubting my right to suffer them to embark on such an adventure after their long, weakening spell of imprisonment.
“It’s two blocks, aint it, Bobby?” said the little man.
“Ay,” answered Bobby, “nothing wanting but this: First, that this kind gentleman will help us to secure the bowsprit afore he takes away his men; and, next, that he gives the course to steer for the Henglish Channel.”
I was again hailed impatiently by Greaves, on which I got upon the rail and told him that the two men wished to carry their schooner home. Should I permit them to do it, considering——
“Certainly,” he shouted; “they’ll pick up help as they go along.”