The men felt quite comfortable, for they were not used to better things.  Most of them could not understand why the crews of the other ships were in such a hurry to be off; the month went round all the same, whether one lay in port or sailed, and then it was better to avoid work.  So long as the skipper made no sign of preparation for sailing, the men might keep their minds easy, for he must surely have the most interest in getting away.  And besides, they all knew what sort of fellow the steersman was, and if such a capable and experienced man lay still, they might be quite sure that he had good and powerful reasons.

But a little party among the crew—­some quite youthful persons—­thought it was a shame to let themselves be thus left astern by everybody.  They had, indeed, no special advantage or profit to expect from the voyage, but at last the inaction became intolerable, and they conceived the daring resolve of sending a youth aft to beg the captain to fix a date for sailing.

The more judicious among the crew crossed themselves, and humbly entreated the young man to keep quiet; but the latter was a rash greenhorn, who had sailed in foreign service, and therefore imagined himself to be a ‘regular devil of a fellow.’  He went right aft and down into the cabin, where the skipper and the steersman sat with their whisky before them, playing cards.

’We would ask if the skipper would kindly set sail next week, for now we are all so weary of lying here,’ said the young man, looking the skipper straight in the eyes without winking.

The latter’s face first turned pale blue, and then assumed a deep violet tint; but he restrained himself, and said, as was his invariable custom: 

‘What think you, steersman?’

‘H’m,’ replied the steersman slowly.  More he never used to say at first, when he was questioned, for he did not like to answer promptly.  But when he got an opportunity of speaking alone, without being interrupted, he could utter the longest sentences and the very hardest words.  And then the skipper was especially proud of him.

However short the steersman’s reply might seem, the skipper at once understood its meaning.  He turned towards the youth—­gravely, but gracefully, for he was an exceedingly well-bred man.

’You cursed young fool! don’t you think I understand these things better than you?  I, who have thought of nothing but being a skipper since I was knee-high!  But I know well enough what you and the like of you are thinking about.  You don’t care a d——­ about the craft, and if you could only get the power from us old ones, you would run her on the first islet you came to, so that you might plunder her of the whisky.  But there will be none of that, my young whelp!  Here we shall lie, as long as I choose.’

When this decision reached the forecastle, it awoke great indignation among the young and immature, which, indeed, was only to be expected.  But even the skipper’s friends and admirers shook their heads, and opined that it was a nasty answer; after all, it was only a civil question, which ought not to compromise anybody.