But it was plain her lights must have been
observed in the darkness by the native fishermen, and
word carried to the settlement, for a boat was already
under weigh. She came towards them across the lagoon
under a great press of sail, lying dangerously down, so
that at times, in the heavier puffs, they thought she
would turn turtle; covered the distance in fine style,
luffed up smartly alongside, and emitted a haggard-
looking white man in pyjamas.
"Good-mornin', cap'n," said he, when he had made good
his entrance. "I was taking you for a Fiji man-of-war,
what with your flush decks and them spars. Well,
gen'lemen all, here's wishing you a merry Christmas and
a happy New Year," he added, and lurched against a
stay.
"Why, you're never the pilot?" exclaimed Wicks,
studying him with a profound disfavour. "You've never
taken a ship in--don't tell me!"
"Well, I should guess I have," returned the pilot.
"I'm Captain Dobbs, I am; and when I take charge, the
captain of that ship can go below and shave."
"But, man alive! you're drunk, man!" cried the captain.
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