"I've had a chat with him already, and I think he's got the right stuff in him." "Has he ?" returned the captain.

"That's got to be proved by and by.
All boys promise well at first, but generally end badly! However, I only want him to understand me at the start, and know that when I say a thing I mean a thing, and stick to it, too.

Where are the other 'prentices ?" "I told them they might turn in, as there was nothing else for them to do," replied the first mate, excusing them; "they were hard at it all day getting the cargo in, and helping to warp out of dock." "H'm," muttered the captain, as if he did not like the idea of anyone having a rest off while he was about; and he compressed his lips while his long nose seemed to grow longer.

"H'm!" "What do you think of doing sir ?" inquired Mr Mackay in the middle of this awkward pause, by way of changing the conversation.

"The wind looks as if it was going to hold from the east'ard." "Aye, so I think, too," assented Captain Gillespie, looking more amiable as his mind was recalled to action.