"Where's the skipper ?" he growled.

"Bring the man aft," cried the lieutenant.

"This way." "All right, mate; I can find my way; I aren't a baby," said the man as he took three or four strides, lifting up his big fisherman's boots, and setting them heavily down upon the deck as if they were something separate from him which he had brought on board.
"Now, my man, brought news of him ?" cried the lieutenant eagerly.

"Eh ?" And the great fellow seemed to tower over the little commander.
"I say, have you brought news of the boy ?" "What boy ?" "Haven't you come to tell me where he is ?" "Here, what yer talking about ?" growled the man.

"I aren't come 'bout no boys." "Then, pray, why have you come ?" "Send them away," said the man in a hoarse whisper.
He jerked his thumb over his shoulder, and the lieutenant was about to give an order but altered his mind, for he suspected the man's mission, not an unusual one in those days.
"Come into my cabin, sir," he said imperiously, and as he turned and strutted off, making the most of his inches, the giant--for such he was by comparison--stumbled after him, making the deck echo to the sound of his great boots.
"Now, sir," said the lieutenant haughtily, "what is your business ?" The man leaned forward, and there was a leer on his bearded face seen by the dull swinging oil-lamp, as, half covering his mouth, he whispered hoarsely behind his hands-- "Like Hollands gin, master ?" "What do you mean, sir ?" cried the lieutenant.