"I want to ship in the Yankee navy as a pilot, for I know this coast from the Mississippi to Key West." "Are you a sailor ?" asked Christy.
"I went to sea for eleven years, and Captain Flanger, father and son, put my wages in their pockets." "You cannot ship as a pilot, only as an able seaman, if you know how to hand, reef, and steer, and how to make knots and splices." "I know all that, captain, like I know my name." "Then I will look upon you as an able seaman until you are formally enlisted.

Mr.Flint, this man is Michael Bornhoff; he is an able seaman and a pilot in these waters.

I think you had better take him with you, for he is fully informed in regard to the Floridian, which you are to bring out.

Let him have pistols and a cutlass," said Christy.
In ten minutes more the expedition left the ship, and soon disappeared in the low bank of fog that still hung over the shore.

Each of the cutters had been manned by twelve men besides the officer, and Mike was an extra hand with the first lieutenant.