"Make it short," snapped the captain, showing no great amiability toward
this plucked and discredited master. "The wind is breezing up."
He told his story concisely and in manly fashion, standing up while
Captain Downs sat and stared over his spectacles, drumming his stubby
fingers on the red damask.
"There, sir, that's why I am here and how I happened to get here," Mayo
concluded.
"I ain't prepared to say it isn't so," admitted Old Mull at last, "no
matter how foolish it sounds. And I'm wondering if next I'll find the
King of Peruvia or the Queen of Sheba aboard this schooner. New folks
are piling in fast! I know Captain Wass pretty well, though I never laid
eye on you to know you. Where's that wart on his face?"
"Starboard side of his nose, sir."
"What does he do, whittle off his chaw or bite the plug?"
"Neither. Chews fine cut."
"What's his favorite line of talk?"
"Reciting the pilot rules and jawing because the big fellows slam along
without observing them."
"Last remark showing that you have been in the pilothouse along with
Captain Wass! Examination is over and you rank one hundred and the board
stands adjourned!" He rose and shook hands with Mayo. "Now what can I do
for you?"
"I don't suppose you can do much of anything, Captain Downs. But I'm
going to ask you this, master to masted. Don't let a soul aboard this
schooner know who I am--especially those two back there!" He pointed to
the door of the main saloon.
"Seems to be more or less of a masked-ball party aboard here!" growled
the skipper.
"That man you call Bradish, whoever he is, knows what kind of a game
they played on me. I want to get it out of him. If he knows who I am he
won't loosen! I was a fool to break in as I did. He was coming across to
you."
"Seemed to be pretty gossipy," admitted the captain. "Is trying to be my
special chum so as to work me!"
"Don't you suppose you can get some more out of him?"
"Might be done."
"I feel that it's sailors against the shore pirates this time, sir.
Won't you call that man out here and ask him some questions and allow me
to listen?"
"Under the circumstances I'll do it. Sailors first is my motto. You step
into the mate's stateroom, there, and put ear to the crack o' the door."