"So you are an army officer, are you ?" "That is what I said." "You don't look it.

Are you the Quartermaster-General ?" "Certainly not." "Thought not.

Didn't know but what you'd claim to be, though, since he's the only army officer that I take orders from." "But I am not giving an order.

I am making a request that any American should be glad to grant, seeing that my message concerns the safety of the United States fleet, and may alter the whole course of the war." "What is it ?" demanded the Captain, bluntly.
"You have no business to ask," replied Ridge.

"At the same time I will tell you, that you may be induced to get your ship under way the more quickly.