oard one
of the Mersey ferry-boats with a helm at either end to prevent having
to turn it; there was a thick fog, and the sailors of the river were
obliged to direct their course by means of the compass, though the
passage lasts scarcely ten minutes. But the thickness of the fog did
not prevent Shandon seeing a man of short stature, rather fat, with
an intelligent and merry face and an amiable look, who came up to
him, took him by the two hands, and shook them with an ardour, a
petulance, and a familiarity "quite meridional," as a Frenchman would
have said. But if this person did not come from the South, he had
got his temperament there; he talked and gesticulated with
volubility; his thought must come out or the machine would burst.
His eyes, small as those of witty men generally are, his mouth, large
and mobile, were safety-pipes which allowed him to give passage to
his overflowing thoughts; he talked, and talked, and talked so much
and so fast that Shandon couldn't understand a word he said. However,
this did not prevent the _Forward's_ mate from recognising the little
man he had never seen before; a lightning flash traversed his mind,
and when the other paused to take breath, Shandon made haste to get
out the words, "Doctor Clawbonny!"

"Himself in person, commander! I've been at least half a quarter of
an hour looking for you, asking everybody everywhere! Just think how
impatient I got; five minutes more and I should have lost my head!
And so you are the commander Richard? You really exist? You are not
a myth? Your hand, your hand! I want to shake it again. It is Richard
Shandon's hand, and if there is a commander Shandon, there's a brig
_Forward_ to command; and if he commands he will start, and if he
starts he'll take Dr. Clawbonny on board."

"Well, yes, doctor, I am Richard Shandon; there is a brig _Forward_,
and it will start."

"That's logic," answered the doctor, after taking in a large provision
of breathing air--"that's logic. And I am ready to jump for joy at
having my dearest wishes gratified. I've wanted to undertake such
a voyage. Now with you, commander----"

"I don't----" began Shandon.

"With you," continued Clawbonny, without hearing him, "we are sure
to go far and not to draw back for a trifle."

"But----" began Shandon again.

"For you have shown what you are made of, commander; I know your deeds
of service. You are a fine sailor!"

"If you will allow me----"

"No, I won't have your