"I can't see myself, sir," said he, "why, instead o' tryin' to fetch Bermuda, we shouldn't put the helm up and square away for England. How might the English Channel lie as we now are?"
"A trifle to the east'ard of north-east."
"Well, this here's a fair wind for it."
"That's true; but will you kindly remember that the ship's company consists of three men."
"Of four, countin' the steward, and five, countin' Miss Robertson."
"Of three men, I say, capable of working the vessel."
"Well, yes; you're right. Arter all, there's only three to go aloft."
"I suppose you know," I continued, "that it would take a sailing ship, properly manned, four or five weeks to make the English Channel."
"Well, sir."
"Neither you, nor I, nor Cornish could do without sleep for four or five weeks."