"Ah," he said quietly. "Then yonder is your husband's boat, waiting.... Noll Wing is an able skipper...."
Faith said nothing. They went on, side by side, toward Mr. Ham.
IX
When Mr. Ham, waiting by the boat with his men, saw Faith coming and saw the stranger at her side, he came to meet them. His bearing was inclined to truculence. Faith was ashore here in his charge; if this man had disturbed her....
Faith reassured him. "I've a hand for you, Mr. Ham," she called. "You need men."
Mr. Ham stopped, ten paces from them, with legs spread wide. He looked from Faith to Brander. Brander smiled in a friendly way. "Can you use me?" he asked. "I know the work."
Mr. Ham frowned thoughtfully. "What's this, ma'am?" he asked Faith. "Who's that man?"
Faith said quietly: "Ask him. I believe he wants to ship. I told him we were short."