You are our captain now, and Humphrey and I and this brave sailor here, ay and our poor poet aloft there, are your crew to follow where you lead.

I can man a gun and haul a rope, as you shall see.

Come, Humphrey, what say you ?" "I have vowed," said I, "to follow my master to the death.

Nor can I think heaven will desert us while you who belong there, are aboard." She blushed at this and turned it off.
"Nay, my friend, it depends on how we do the duty that lies to our hand whether we belong there or not." Here Ludar broke in abruptly.
"Seaman, where be we now ?" The sailor got up and went out to ascertain our bearings.
"Maiden," said Ludar, then, more grave than I had ever seen him, "I can make no fine speeches, such as Humphrey here or yonder monkey at the mast-head; but I accept you as one of this crew with a prouder heart than if I were offered my father's castle." Then he held out his great hand, and she lay her little hand in it, and her true eyes flashed up to meet his.

And I who stood by knew that the compact I witnessed then was for a longer voyage than from here to Leith.
I was glad when presently the man came in and reported.
"By your leave, captain, we be eight leagues east of Flamboro' with a southerly breeze falling fast.