O'Shea was shouting to the men on her deck.

The skipper stood there looking over her side; he was a short stout man, of cheery aspect.

Several sailors, and one or two other men who might be passengers, had come to the side also.

Beside the skipper stood a big man with a brown beard; his very way of standing still seemed to suggest habitual sluggishness of mind or manner; yet his appearance at this distance was fine.

Caius discovered that this was Le Maitre; he was surprised, he had supposed that he would be thin and dark.
"It's Captain Le Maitre I've come for; it's his wife that's wanting to see him," O'Shea shouted.
"He's here!" The skipper gave the information cheerfully, and Le Maitre made a slight sign showing that it was correct.
"I'll just take him back, then, in the boat with me now, for it's easy enough getting this way, but there's holes in the sand that makes drivin' unpleasant.