Chapter VI. An Ocean Waif

           ThenavigationoftheHalbranewentonprosperouslywiththehelpoftheseaandthewind.Infifteendays,ifthisstateofthingslasted,shemightreachTristand’Acunha.CaptainLenGuylefttheworkingoftheshiptoJamesWest,andwellmighthedoso;therewasnothingtofearwithsuchaseamanashe.

           “Ourlieutenanthasnothismatchafloat,”saidHurliguerlytomeoneday.“Heoughttobeincommandofaflag-ship.”

           “Indeed,”Ireplied,“heseemstobeatruesonofthesea.”

           “Andthen,ourHalbrane,whatacraft!Congratulateyourself,Mr.Jeorling,andcongratulateyourselfalsothatIsucceededinbringingthecaptaintochangehismindaboutyou.”

           “Ifitwasyouwhoobtainedthatresult,boatswain,Ithankyouheartily.”

           “Andsoyouought,forhewasplaguilyagainstit,wasourcaptain,inspiteofalloldmanAtkinscouldsay.ButImanagedtomakehimhearreason.”

           “Ishan’tforgetit,boatswain,Ishan’tforgetit,since,thankstoyourintervention,insteadofmopingatKerguelen.IhopeshortlytogetwithinsightofTristand’Acunha.”

           “Inafewdays,Mr.Jeorling.Onlythink,sir,accordingtowhatIheartell,theyaremakingshipsinEnglandandAmericawithmachinesintheirinsides,andwheelswhichtheyuseasaduckusesitspaddles.Allright,weshallknowwhat’sthegoodofthemwhentheycomeintouse.Mynotionis,however,thatthoseshipswillneverbeabletofightwithafinefrigatesailingwithafreshbreeze.