But no
encouragement would have induced the newly-joined second mate to enter
the way of confidences. His was an instinctive prudence. Powell did not
know why it was he had resolved to keep his own counsel as to his
colloquy with Mr. Smith. But his curiosity did not slumber. Some time
afterwards, again at the relief of watches, in the course of a little
talk, he mentioned Mrs. Anthony's father quite casually, and tried to
find out from the mate who he was.
"It would take a clever man to find that out, as things are on board
now," Mr. Franklin said, unexpectedly communicative. "The first I saw of
him was when she brought him alongside in a four-wheeler one morning
about half-past eleven. The captain had come on board early, and was
down in the cabin that had been fitted out for him. Did I tell you that
if you want the captain for anything you must stamp on the port side of
the deck? That's so. This ship is not only unlike what she used to be,
but she is like no other ship, anyhow. Did you ever hear of the
captain's room being on the port side? Both of them stern cabins have
been fitted up afresh like a blessed palace.
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