"I was going to--" He meant to say, "to rescue some people from pirates," but now this did not seem polite; so he stopped short, but the Skipper took no notice.
"You swim?
That is good!" he said.

"But Sir Scraper, he cannot swim, I think, my son, so for you there is no rescue, since Rento has pulled in the plank.

Are you content, then, to be the captive of the 'Nautilus ?'" John looked up, still sorely puzzled; perhaps he was rather dull, this little boy John, about some things, though he was good at his books.

At any rate, there could be no possible doubt of the kindness in the Skipper's face; perhaps he was in fun, after all; and, anyhow, where had he ever been so happy as here since the good mother died?
So he answered with right good-will,-- "I like to stay here more than anywhere else in the world.

If--if I didn't think Mr.Scraper would be angry and frightened about me, and not know where I was, I should like to stay on board all my life." "That is right!" said the Skipper, heartily.