"Why, I've fished at sea hundreds of times, sir," I said. "Whiffing,
long line, trot, and bulter; and we used to go out to the rocks off
Falmouth to set small trammels."
"Why, you're quite a sailor, Dale," said the captain. "All right, my
lad, you'll do."
"I like Captain Berriman, Lena," said Mr Denning, thoughtfully; "but I
will not have that doctor always hanging about my chair."
I saw Miss Denning look sadly at me and colour a little as she glanced
back at her brother, who nodded sharply and turned to me, and changed
the conversation. "Were you on deck when there was that disturbance?"
"Yes."
"The captain knocked the man down, didn't he?"
"Yes; sent him sprawling upon the deck."
I saw the young man's eyes flash, and there was a slight flush upon his
sallow cheek as he laid a thin hand on my arm, and went on eagerly--
"I wish I had been on deck."
"Oh, there wasn't much to see," I said. "His cheek was cut, and bled."
"So much the better. Let Mr Frewen go and attend him. But the man was
insolent, wasn't he?"
"Very, I believe; and Captain Berriman said he would have proper
discipline in his ship."
"Yes, of course. I should have liked to see the captain knock him down.
Perhaps it will make him spiteful."