‘Why, yes, to be sure,’ I answered.
‘The lady too, sir?’
‘Yes, man, yes. What ship are you?’
‘The Lady Blanche,’ he answered.
‘Where bound?’
‘To Mauritius, from the river Thames.’
I glanced at Miss Temple; but either she had not heeded the fellow’s answer or her mind failed to collect its meaning.
‘Been long aboard here, sir?’ said the man, indicating the hull by a sideways motion of his head.
‘Two nights,’ I answered. ‘There should be a corvette and an Indiaman close at hand hereabouts. Have you met with either ship?’
‘No, sir.’