In very plain words he made me understand that it was quite useless to insist, that Our interview had already lasted too long, that time pressed, and he had business at the port; in short that we had said all that we could have to say to each other.
I had put out my arm to detain him--to seize him would be a more correct term--and the conversation, ill begun, seemed likely to end still more ill, when this odd person turned towards me and said in a milder tone,-- "Pray understand, sir, that I am very sorry to be unable to do what you ask, and to appear disobliging to an American.

But I could not act otherwise.

In the course of the voyage of the _Halbrane_ some unforeseen incident might occur to make the presence of a passenger inconvenient--even one so accommodating as yourself.

Thus I might expose myself to the risk of being unable to profit by the chances which I seek." "I have told you, captain, and I repeat it, that although my intention is to return to America and to Connecticut, I don't care whether I get there in three months or in six, or by what route; it's all the same to me, and even were your schooner to take me to the Antarctic seas--" "The Antarctic seas!" exclaimed Captain Len Guy with a question in his tone.

And his look searched my thoughts with the keenness of a dagger.
"Why do you speak of the Antarctic seas ?" he asked, taking my hand.
"Well, just as I might have spoken of the 'Hyperborean seas' from whence an Irish poet has made Sebastian Cabot address some lovely verses to his Lady.