Small silence ruled. Reuben heard Mr. Hibbs draw a deep stormy breath, but before anyone could set about demolishing green youth for its impudence (if anyone was a-mind to) Daniel Shawn was tranquilly continuing: "To my business, Mr. Kenny, and I'll have done. I'm here, sir, to inquire if there be an opportunity for me to ship aboard your _Artemis_ on her next outward passage." Caution settled on Mr. Kenny's face like cold. "I must tell you, sir, the way I've fallen enamored of the little sea-witch, I'd count it better than a berth on any full-rigged ship I know. Call it a seaman's fancy. I have mate's papers--captain's for that matter, but no man could replace Mr. Jenks, there'd be never no such thought in me mind. Indeed, Mr. Kenny, were I offered a command at present I think I'd refuse, now that's no lie. I think I'm not of a mind for it, though I have captained a vessel twice in the past and done well enough as the world judges. But if any lesser berth be available with _Artemis_, I'm ready, sir--ready to offer twenty years' experience of the sea and the best devotion a man can give at all." John Kenny said with care: "But if you have captain's papers, I can't suppose you'd wish to sign on for small pay and scant authority." Shawn sighed, smiling again with tight upper lip and steady eyes. "I think, sir, if the vessel were the _Artemis_, the position of mate would find me content as any man on salt water, now that's no lie. Truth is I love ships, Mr. Kenny; I know a fair one when I see her. Mother of God, in the old days, the ships I'd see standing out from Sligo Bay, and I too young to follow! I'm a Sligo man, Mr. Kenny, born in Dromore forty-one years ago and can't bear the life on the bloody beach. Steady as she goes!--it's I need a deck under me feet or I'm not living." Mr. Kenny shook his head unhappily. "Jan Dyckman hath sailed as mate with Mr. Jenks a long time now. I can't imagine Mr. Jenks considering any other in the room of him." "Still," said Shawn, his head on one side, his smile perhaps no more than a flicker of the candles--"still, sir, you are the owner." "I am the owner," said Mr. Kenny stiffly, "and merely that. With such a captain as Mr. Jenks, I say nothing about the manning of my craft." "And very just, sir. I was but thinking this Mr. Dyckman might be ready for a command himself, in one of your other vessels--thus an advancement for him, an opportunity for me."