"What kin ye do?"
"I'm a good derrick man and been four years with a coaler."
"You want steady work, I suppose."
The stranger nodded.
"Well, I ain't got it. Gov'ment app'ints our men. This is a Life-Saving Station."
The stranger stood twisting his cap. The first statement seemed to make but little impression on him; the second aroused a keener interest.
"Yes, I know. Just new built, ain't it? and you just put in charge? Captain Nathaniel Holt's your name—am I right?"
"Yes, you're just right." And the captain, dismissing the man and the incident from his mind, turned on his heel, walked the length of the narrow porch and stood scanning the sky and the blurred horizon line. The twilight was now deepening and a red glow shimmered through the settling fog.
"Fogarty!" cried the captain, beckoning over his shoulder with his head.
Tod stepped up and stood at attention; as quick in reply as if two steel springs were fastened to his heels.