Presently the boat was within hail.
"Ship ahoy! Who are you ?" "Oh, come alongside," answered Paul through his trumpet, in a rapid off-hand tone, as though he were a gruff sort of friend, impatient at being suspected for a foe.
In a few moments the officer of the boat stepped into the Ranger's gangway.

Cocking his bonnet gallantly, Paul advanced towards him, making a very polite bow, saying: "Good morning, sir, good morning; delighted to see you.

That's a pretty sword you have; pray, let me look at it." "I see," said the officer, glancing at the ship's armament, and turning pale, "I am your prisoner." "No--my guest," responded Paul, winningly.

"Pray, let me relieve you of your--your--cane." Thus humorously he received the officer's delivered sword.
"Now tell me, sir, if you please," he continued, "what brings out his Majesty's ship Drake this fine morning?
Going a little airing ?" "She comes out in search of you, but when I left her side half an hour since she did not know that the ship off the harbor was the one she sought." "You had news from Whitehaven, I suppose, last night, eh ?" "Aye: express; saying that certain incendiaries had landed there early that morning." "What ?--what sort of men were they, did you say ?" said Paul, shaking his bonnet fiercely to one side of his head, and coming close to the officer.

"Pardon me," he added derisively, "I had forgot you are my _guest_.