'I should not require a knowledge of navigation in you,' said the Captain.
Abraham responded with a bob of the head, then scratching at his back hair afresh, said:
'I must ask leave to tarn the matter over. I should like to talk with my mate along o' this.'
'I'll put him on the articles, too, if he likes, at the current wages,' said the Captain. 'However, think over it. You can let me know to-morrow. But I shall expect you to take charge during the middle watch.'
'That I'll willingly dew, sir,' answered Abraham. 'But how about them Ceylon chaps and Malays forrads? Dew they understand sea tarms?'
'Perfectly well,' answered the Captain, 'or how should I and Mr. Jones get along, think you?'
'Well,' exclaimed Abraham: 'I han't had much to say to 'em as yet. One chap's been talking a good deal this evening, and I allow he's got a grievance, as most sailors has. There's some sort o' difficulty: I allow it lies in the eating; but a man wants practice to follow noicely what them there sort o' coloured covies has to say.'
'Well,' exclaimed the Captain, with another bland wave of the hand in dismissal of the subject, 'we understand each other, at all events, my lad.'
He went to the locker from which he had extracted the biscuits, produced a bottle of rum, and filled a wineglass.
'Neat or with water?' said he, smiling.