“Is the captain on board?” asked Jim.
“D’ye mean Captain Wilkins?”
“I guess yes,” answered Jim, “I would like to speak to him.”
“I admire your nerve, Jim,” said Berwick, in an undertone.
“Coming on board, sir?” asked the sailor, making ready to heave a small line.
“Yes,” returned Jim, “heave away.”
Catching the line the sailor had thrown, Jim and Berwick climbed the gangway ladder to the deck where they were met by Captain Wilkins, a grizzled old seaman, attired in an undress uniform. He was tall, stoutly built, with an alert air about him that impressed both Jim and Berwick favorably at the start.
“How do you do, gentlemen?” The captain greeted them with punctilious politeness, “glad to meet you.”
“And we are very glad to meet you, Captain Wilkins,” returned Jim. “This is a fine boat you have.”