He appeared to be a heavier and older man than when I had seen him last.

He had a cold cigar in his mouth.
"When you are ready, Captain Goyles," I said, "we'll start." Captain Goyles removed the cigar from his mouth.
"Not to-day we won't, sir," he replied, "_with_ your permission." "Why, what's the matter with to-day ?" I said.

I know sailors are a superstitious folk; I thought maybe a Monday might be considered unlucky.
"The day's all right," answered Captain Goyles, "it's the wind I'm a-thinking of.

It don't look much like changing." "But do we want it to change ?" I asked.

"It seems to me to be just where it should be, dead behind us." "Aye, aye," said Captain Goyles, "dead's the right word to use, for dead we'd all be, bar Providence, if we was to put out in this.