"Jolly old bear!" I muttered, looking exceedingly crestfallen.
"Herrick!" came sharply, and I ran up, for he was walking on, and I had
to keep up with him.
"Yes, sir."
"You behaved very well yesterday. I'm horribly busy. Here, this way."
"Thank you, sir," I said, wondering what he was going to set me to do,
and thinking that he might have given me the permission I asked.
"Now then, quick," he said; and, to my surprise, he led the way to the
hatchway, went down, and then forward to where the two marines were on
duty, ready to present arms to the officer who always seemed of far more
importance in the ship than the captain.
"Let Mr Herrick pass in, marines," he said. "Keep a sharp eye on your
prisoners."