"Thank you, Grenvile," said Mr Seaton, as I brought my yarn to a conclusion.  "A most interesting yarn, and an exceedingly exciting experience.  Of course it is not for me to mete out praise or blame in my official capacity, that is to say, it is for the captain to do that; but, unofficially, and merely as a friend, I may perhaps venture to say that so far as I can see you have nothing with which to reproach yourself and have much to be proud of.  It is unfortunate that you should have lost five of your number, and I am particularly sorry that Mr Gowland should have been among them, for Mr Gowland was a particularly trustworthy and reliable navigator; but no one could possibly have foreseen that you would have been attacked by that piratical slaver.  Ah, here come the captain and your friend the general!  What a fine-looking old fellow the general is!"