It is unnecessary, indeed impossible, to describe the feelings with
which Gaff and Billy descended from Signal Cliff to the beach to meet
the boat which put off from the man-of-war and made for the little creek
just below the cave.
As the boat's keel grated on the sand, the midshipman in command leaped
ashore. He was a particularly small and pert midshipman, a smart
conceited vigorous little fellow, who delighted to order his big men
about in the voice of a giant; and it was quite interesting to observe
how quietly and meekly those big men obeyed him, just as one sometimes
sees a huge Newfoundland dog or mastiff obey the orders of a child.
"Why, where on earth did you come from, and what are you doing here?"
demanded the little middy, as he approached Gaff, and looked up in that
man's rugged and unshorn countenance.