"Well," said I, "I've come aboard to take possession of this ship, Mr. Hands; and you'll please regard me as your captain until further notice."
He looked at me sourly enough but said nothing.Some of the colour had come back into his cheeks,though he still looked very sick and still continued to slip out and settle down as the ship banged about.
"By the by," I continued, "I can't have these colours,Mr. Hands; and by your leave, I'll strike 'em. Better none than these."