Mr. Ham looked around. Faith stood a little at one side, listening quietly. The Sally rocked on the swells outside.... "Well, come aboard," said the mate. "See what the Old Man says."
Brander nodded. "Thanks, sir," he said. He adopted, easily and without abasement, the attitude of a fo'mast hand toward the officer, and went ahead of the mate and Faith to stow his bundle in the boat. The other men waiting there questioned him; but they all fell silent as Mr. Ham and Faith came to where the boat waited.
Tichel had already taken the water casks out to the whaler. The men took the whaleboat and dragged it down to the water. When it was half afloat, Faith and the mate got in. The men shoved off, wading till the water was deep enough for them to clamber aboard and snatch their oars and push out through the rollers.... They worked desperately for a little, till they were clear of the turbulent waters of the beach; then settled to their work....
Brander sat amidships, his bundle at his feet, lending a hand now and then on the oar of the man who faced him. Once he looked toward Faith; she met his eyes.... Neither spoke, neither smiled.... The island was receding behind them; Brander turned to watch it. They drew alongside the Sally.
Dan'l Tobey was at the rail to receive them. The mate stood in the tossing boat and lifted Faith easily to Dan'l at the rail; he swung her aboard. Mr. Ham followed; then Brander; then the men. The mate saw to the unloading of the boat, saw it safely stowed. Then turned to Brander, "Come and see the Old Man," he said.
Dan'l Tobey heard. "He's asleep," he told Mr. Ham. "Who is this?"
The mate said: "He wants to ship. Says he was on the Thomas Morgan."
Dan'l looked at Brander. Mr. Ham added: "The captain's wife found him in the bush."
Dan'l drawled: "Beach comber.... Eh?"
Brander said respectfully: "No, sir. I lived on the hill, there.... The highest one. You can make out my place with the glass...."