Noll looked around the table at the other mates; and he said heavily:
"We've got to have a new officer."
They knew that as well as he; the statement called for no reply. Only Dan'l Tobey said: "Yes, sir.... And a man we know, and can count on."
Noll raised his big head and looked at Dan'l bleakly. "Mr. Tobey," he said, "you know the men. Who is there that measures up to our wants, d'you think?"
Dan'l started to speak; then he hesitated, changed his mind.... Said at last: "I'm senior officer here, sir. But—I've not the experience that Mr. Tichel has, for instance. Perhaps he has some one in mind."
Noll nodded. "All right, Mr. Tichel. If you have, say out."
James Tichel grinned faintly. "I have. But you'll not mind me, so no matter."
"Out with it, any fashion," Noll insisted.
"Silva, then," said Tichel. "Silva!" He looked from one of them to another. Noll's face was set in opposition; Dan'l's was neutral; Willis Cox was obviously amazed. "Silva," said old Tichel, for the third time. "He's a Portugee.... All right. But he's a good man; he knows the boat; he's worked with Mr. Ham. And he can take the boat and make a harpooner out of one or the other of two men in her...." He stopped, unused to such an outbreak. "That's my say, leastwise," he finished.
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Noll looked toward Dan'l again. "Now, Mr. Tobey," he said.