‘Aye will I. Give me half a dozen hands, that’s all. Them blacks’ll do. I’m rated carpenter’s mate, and I can show them how to work. I’ll make everything taut and shipshape, or my name’s not Rechab Larkins.’
‘Rechab Lar—’ Herbert’s jaw dropped with amazement. ‘Son of the barrack sergeant, once at Triggertown and now at Gib?’
The other nodded.
‘Do you know who I am? Why—Hercules Albert, your half-brother.’
It was Rechab’s turn to show astonishment.
‘Avast there. None of your games. You little Herkles boy?’
‘Yes. You may take your oath, to that.’
‘Well; I am blowed.’
Then they shook hands warmly and looked at each other, and shook hands again and again.