"Humph! that remains to be proved, my lad.  We've got to return and face Mr Reardon and the captain, and the first question asked of an officer who has been entrusted with one of Her Majesty's boats, and who returns without it, is--What have you done with the boat or ship?  We--yes, you are in the mess, sir--have to go back and say that we have lost it."