"You are giving the place a bad character." "I think Captain Wilson will agree it's a true one," the captain said, smiling.
"Eh, Captain Wilson ?" "I am afraid so," the latter replied.

"I know they keep me pretty busy.

However, after a year's holiday, I must not grumble if I find plenty to do when I get there." The voyage down to the Cape was wholly uneventful.

The Paramatta was most fortunate in her weather and, beyond trimming the sails, the crew had a very easy time of it.

Captain Wilson had, as he promised Miss Hudson, taken the opportunity, when Reuben was sitting idly on deck, of having a chat with him; but he did not learn much in the course of the conversation.
"Your young carpenter puzzles me, Miss Hudson," he said to her at dinner.