Before the gangway had dropped with a bang her sharp eyes had picked out the Boy.
"Well I'll be——See who that is behind Nig? Trust him to get in on the ground-floor. He ain't worryin' for fear his pardner'll lose the boat," she called to the Colonel, who was pressing forward as Rainey came down the gangway.
"How do you do, Captain?"
The man addressed never turned his head. He was forcing his way through the jam up to the A. C. Store.
"You may recall me, sah; I am——"
"If you are a man wantin' to go to Dawson, it doesn't matter who you are. I can't take you."
"But, sah——" It was no use.
A dozen more were pushing their claims, every one in vain. The Oklahoma passengers, bent on having a look at Minóok, crowded after the Captain. Among those who first left the ship, the Boy, talking to the purser, hard upon Rainey's heels. The Colonel stood there as they passed, the Captain turning back to say something to the Boy, and then they disappeared together through the door of the A. C.
Never a word for his pardner, not so much as a look. Bitterness fell upon the Colonel's heart. Maudie called to him, and he went back to his seat on the gunny-sacks.
"He's in with the Captain now," she said; "he's got no more use for us."