In the course of time I brought up on the starboard side of the pilot-house, and found a sextant lying on a bench. Now, I said, they “take the sun” through this thing; I should think I might see that vessel through it. I had hardly got it to my eye when someone touched me on the shoulder and said deprecatingly:
“I’ll have to get you to give that to me, Sir. If there’s any
THE OLD PIRATE.
thing you’d like to know about taking the sun, I’d as soon tell you as not—but I don’t like to trust any body with that instrument. If you want any figuring done— Aye, aye, sir!”
He was gone to answer a call from the other side. I sought the deck-sweep:
“Who is that spider-legged gorilla yonder with the sanctimonious countenance?”
“It’s Captain Jones, Sir—the chief mate.”
