Why, what does he mean ?" By this time the little lieutenant was scanning the cliffs again, and the master took off his hat and wiped his forehead.
"Talk about thistles and stinging nettles," he muttered, "why there's no bearing him to-day, and all on account of a scamp of a middy such as there's a hundred times too many on in the R'yal Navy.

Dunno though; bit cocky and nose in air when he's in full uniform, and don't know which is head and which is his heels, but he aren't such a very bad sort o' boy.

Well, what's the matter with you ?" Dirty Dick screwed up his mouth as if to speak, but only stared.
"Don't turn yourself into a figurehead of an old wreck sir.

What do you want ?" "Leave to go ashore, sir." "Well, you're going soon as the skipper orders." "I mean all alone by myself, sir." "What for?
There aren't a public-house for ten miles." "Didn't mean that." "Then what did you mean?
Speak out, and don't do the double shuffle all over my clean deck." "No, sir." "Hopping about like a cat on hot bricks.

Now, then, why do you want to go ashore ?" "Try and find Mr Raystoke, sir.