"Now, young gentleman, I am going to give you the job of finding those pirates and bringing them to book.  It is work for a _man_, I know, but I have not a man to spare; and I am convinced, from the way in which you answered my questions last night, and from the character which Captain Vavassour has given you, not only that you are a very capable young officer, but also that you have your full share of sound common sense and self-reliance--that you are, in fact, quite as likely to give a good account of yourself over this business as would many a much older man.