You may remain below at present." "Thank you, sir." I lost no time in finding Mr.Johnson, and I got a delicious cup of coffee and half a biscuit from the cook, who favoured me in consequence of the conscientious scouring I had bestowed upon his pans.

Then mightily warmed and refreshed, I made my way to the side of the hammock I had swung for the rescued lad, and by the light of a swinging lamp saw his dark head buried in his arms.
When I said, "Do you want anything ?" he lifted his face with a jerk, and looked at me.
"Not I--much obliged," he said, smiling, and still staring hard.

He had teeth like the half-caste, but the resemblance stopped there.
"The captain said I might come and look after you, but if you want to go to sleep, do," said I.
"Why would I, if you'll talk to me a bit ?" was his reply; and resting his head on the edge of his hammock and looking me well over, he added, "Did they pick you up as well ?" I laughed and wrung some salt water out of my sleeve.
"No.

I've not been in the sea, but I've been on deck, and it's just as wet.

It always _is_ wet at sea," I added in a tone of experience.
His eyes twinkled as if I amused him.