The boat touched the landing, place and Captain Len Guy stepped on shore.
In a few seconds I was out of the inn, and confronted him.
"Sir," said I in a cold hard tone.
Captain Len Guy looked at me steadily, and I was struck by the sadness of his eyes, which were as black as ink.

Then in a very low voice he asked: "You are a stranger ?" "A stranger at the Kerguelens?
Yes." "Of English nationality ?" "No.

American." He saluted me, and I returned the curt gesture.
"Sir," I resumed, "I believe Mr.Atkins of the Green Cormorant has spoken to you respecting a proposal of mine.

That proposal, it seems to me, deserved a favourable reception on the part of a--" "The proposal to take passage on my ship ?" interposed Captain Len Guy.
"Precisely." "I regret, sir, I regret that I could not agree to your request." "Will you tell me why ?" "Because I am not in the habit of taking passengers.

That is the first reason." "And the second, captain ?" "Because the route of the _Halbrane_ is never settled beforehand.
She starts for one port and goes to another, just as I find it to my advantage.