But it needed the exercise
of much resourcefulness to withstand the stream of questions with which
his commander sought to clear the mystery attached to a second mate who
knew not the sea. Luckily, he emerged from the flood with credit; nay,
the examiner himself was obliged at times to assume a knowledge which
he did not possess, for, if Stump knew how to con a ship from port to
port, Royson could give reasons for great circle sailing which left
Stump gasping. At last, the stout captain could no longer conceal his
amazement when Royson had recited correctly the rules of the road for
steamships crossing:
If to my Starboard Red appear,
It is my duty to keep clear;
Act as Judgment says is proper--
"Port"--or "Starboard"--"Back"--or "Stop her!"
But when, upon my Port is seen
A steamer's Starboard light of green,
For me there's naught to do, but see
That Green to Port keeps clear of me.
"Come, now," he growled, "wot's your game? D'ye mean to say you've bin
humbuggin' me all this time?"
His little eyes glared redly from underneath his shaggy eyebrows.
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