Midnight Sun
He 's seventy-seven years old , but still he likes to go down with the brigade , part way at least . `` The quiet young man just beyond him is his son , François . He is the real captain -- or commodore , as they call it -- of the brigade , and has been for several years . He 'll be the steersman on our boat , so that in one way you might say that the _ Midnight Sun _ , although not a Company boat , will pretty much be the flag-ship of the brigade this year . They 're treating us as well as they know how , and I must say we 'll have no cause to complain . '' `` Cap . Shott , '' as they nicknamed him , did indeed have a piratical look , as John had said .