Mr. Pointer appeared shortly in oilskins, saluted, and gazed
fixedly at his superior, with one foot raised upon the brass
door-sill.

"Mr. Pointer," said Captain Scottie, "I have appointed Captain
Gissing staff-captain. Take orders from him as you would from me.
He will have complete charge of the ship's discipline."

"Aye, aye, sir," said Mr. Pointer, stood a moment intently to see
if there were further orders, saluted again, and withdrew.

"Now you had better turn in," said the skipper. "Of course you
must wear uniform. I'll send the tailor up to you at once. He can
remodel one of my suits overnight. The trousers will have to be
lengthened."

On the chart-room sofa, Gissing dozed and waked and dozed again.
On the bridge near by he heard the steady tread of feet, the
mysterious words of the officer on watch passing the course to
his relief. Bells rang with sharp double clang. Through the open
port he could hear the alternate boom and hiss of the sea under
the bows. With the stately lift and lean of the ship there
mingled a faint driving vibration.



CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The first morning in any new environment is always the most
exciting. Gissing was already awake, and watching the novel