Crooked-nose squinted at Nils. "Ya ask a lotta smarmy questions, doncha kid? Where's yer mum? Why docha go play in some broken glass or somethin?"

"Now, now, it's obvious that our friend here has knowledge and experience in the field of air sailing," Baldie said with a serene smile. "We shouldn't embarrass ourselves by admitting how useless we are."

Crooked-nose took a mouthful of coffee and gave his companion a curious glare. What game was he playing?

Baldie went on, addressing Nils: "We're waiting for the captain to arrive," he explained, "and he will, when the time is right. You see," he leaned down with a finger against the side of his nose in secrecy, "the captain is very particular about his sailors. Only those who'll wait and believe in him will get to set off. Already we've lost the navigator and the cabin boy to a rampant case of impatience."

Crooked-nose raised his eyebrows and grinned. "That's right. Sorry, kid -- we might've recruited you to fill a position, but you seem ta be the impatient sort." He waved his hand in dismissal.