"As you won't go below, Miss Robertson, you shall steer; but I will stop by you," I said.
"That will be of no use!" she exclaimed.
Cornish smothered a laugh and walked away.
"Now, bo'sun, down with you," I cried. "I'll have you up again shortly to sound the well. But half an hour's sleep is something. If you get knocked up, I lose half the ship's company—two-thirds of it."
"All right, sir," he replied, with a prodigious yawn. "You an' the lady 'll know how to settle this here business of steering."
And off he went.
"You see how obedient these men are, Miss Robertson. Why will you not obey orders, and get some sleep?"
"I have offended you, Mr. Royle, and I am very, very sorry."
"Let us make peace then," I said, holding out my hand.
She took it; but when I had got her hand, I would not let it go for some moments.