‘Are you the captain of this ship, sir?’
‘This ship has no captain,’ he answered, smiling. ‘I am the deputy-governor.’
‘Captain Butler is sentenced to fourteen years’ transportation; shall I know when he sails?’
‘The rules will allow him to communicate with you. Our regulations are carried out with great consideration. You observe that if a friend calls while a man is away at labour, he is sent for.’
‘How often may I see Captain Butler?’
‘Every three months.’
‘Oh, sir!’ I clasped my hands and rocked myself; then summoning my former spirit, for I was eager to get all information possible from this communicative and sympathetic personage, I said: ‘How often may I write to him and he to me?’
‘Every three months,’ he repeated, but softly, with a glance at the waiting groups who had insensibly stolen toward us to listen.
‘He may sail within the next three months, and I shall not know where he is gone.’
‘The regulations will permit of his communicating with you through the governor before he sails, and you will be allowed to bid him farewell.’