But Alister shook his head.

"I know one or two Scotch tunes," Dennis added, and he began to sketch out an air or two with his fingers on the strings.
Presently Alister stopped him.

"Yon's the 'Land o' the Leal' ?" "It is," said Dennis.
"Play it a bit quicker, man, and I'll try 'Scots wha hae.'" Dennis quickened at once, and Alister stood forward.

He neither fidgeted nor complained of feeling shy, but as my eyes (I was squatted cross-legged on the deck) were at the level of his knees, I could see them shaking, and pitied him none the less, that I was doubtful as to what might not be before _me_.

Dennis had to make two or three false starts before poor Alister could get a note out of his throat, but when he had fairly broken the ice with the word "Scots!" he faltered no more.
The boatswain was cheated a second time of his malice.