He was not quite fifty years old, and he had seen service in all parts of the world, and in his younger days had been a master's mate in the navy.
The second officer was superintending the crew as they put things to rights for the voyage.

His person was in striking contrast with his superior officer; for he weighed over two hundred pounds, and looked as though he were better fitted for the occupancy of an alderman's chair than for a position on the deck of a sea-going vessel.

He was under forty years of age, but he had also been in command of a bark in the employ of his present owner.
"Of course we cannot undertake the difficult enterprise before us, Breaker, without an armament of some sort," said Captain Passford, as they halted at the companionway.
"I should say not, and I was wondering how you intended to manage in this matter," replied the commander.
"I will tell you, for our first mission renders it necessary to give some further orders before we go below," continued the owner.

"We have not a day or an hour to waste." "The sooner we get at the main object of the expedition, the better will be our chances of success." "You remember that English brig which was wrecked on Mills Breaker, while we were at Hamilton ?" "Very well indeed; and she was said to be loaded with a cargo of improved guns, with the ammunition for them, which some enterprising Britisher had brought over on speculation, for the use of the Confederate army and navy,--if they ever have any navy," added Captain Breaker.
"That is precisely the cargo to which I allude.

The brig had a hole in her bottom, but only a part of her was under water.