"Glad to see you, Mr Sprawl; sit down, and take wine."
"Do you think, if the breeze holds, that we shall make the land again before morning, Mr Sprawl?"
"No, sir, for we have run thirty miles off since morning, and there is no appearance of any wind at present; but we should be able, notwithstanding, to beat up to it by noon to-morrow."
"Very well. Pray, Mr Lanyard, how many men, counting the strangers, are there on board?"
"A long twelve, sir, with a six-inch howitzer affair fitted forward, for throwing grape."
"Do you think you could stow ten men more, comfortably?"
Dick had been on board of his new command before he came down, and had made such passing observations as the time permitted.
"Why, I daresay, for a few days we might, sir."
"Then send your purser, or whoever may be acting for him, aboard this evening."
The lieutenant made his bow, whipped off his glass, and went on deck to be off. It was getting dark fast--the wind had risen suddenly--the frigate had been carrying top-gallant sails up to the time I had gone below, but they were now handed, and the watch were in the act of taking a reef in the top-sails.
"Whereabouts is the felucca?" said I to the officer of the watch, the old gunner, who, in the absence of Mr Garboard, the second lieutenant, who, as already stated, was sick and in his cot, had charge of the deck.
"Close to, sir," was the reply; but presently he continued, looking over the side, "Deuce take me, sir, if I can see her just at this present"----
"You don't? I say, quartermaster, do you see the small craft down to leeward there?"
"No, sir. I sees nothing of her; but she can't be far away, sir, as she was close to, within this last half hour."
By this time the night had fallen with a heavy dew and a thick haze. Presently we saw a small spark down to leeward.
"Ah," said the man again, "there she is; she is in chase of something, sir."
"What can they mean?" said Lanyard. "They know they cannot follow out their chase when I am on board here."
The riddle was soon read. Little Binnacle had returned on board, and, as it turned out, he was determined to have some fun, in the interregnum between the unshipping of poor Donovan and Lanyard's appointment.
"What is that abeam of us?" said Mr Sprawl, who had now come on deck.--"Hand me up the night-glass, Jeremy."