To this I replied nothing, but turned remonstratingly to the chief mate, urging him to at least do me the favour to go down and see if the captain chanced to be awake, and if so, to put the matter to him.  But he would not listen to my suggestion, insisting that, even if Captain Tourville happened to be awake, he was far too ill to be troubled over any such matter.  Suddenly it came to me that, despite all his past apparent friendliness, he was, for some unknown reason, anxious that I should not be released.  Seeing, therefore, the utter uselessness of further argument, I desisted, and turned away, bitterly disappointed.