Davidson's fineness was real enough to alter the course of the steamer he commanded.

Instead of passing to the south of Samburan, he made it his practice to take the passage along the north shore, within about a mile of the wharf.
"He can see us if he likes to see us," remarked Davidson.

Then he had an afterthought: "I say! I hope he won't think I am intruding, eh ?" We reassured him on the point of correct behaviour.

The sea is open to all.
This slight deviation added some ten miles to Davidson's round trip, but as that was sixteen hundred miles it did not matter much.
"I have told my owner of it," said the conscientious commander of the Sissie.
His owner had a face like an ancient lemon.

He was small and wizened--which was strange, because generally a Chinaman, as he grows in prosperity, puts on inches of girth and stature.