"I think they ought to pick out the unmarried men," remarked Darry, who had himself been considering this very subject.
"They do, I believe, as far as they can; but we must have bread, and the number of available surfmen is small. But those who win their living from the sea learn to expect these things sooner or later. It is only a question of time."
After a bit of lunch Darry was sent to the village on an errand.
This was how he happened to see Jim Dilks again.
The meeting occurred just before Darry reached the grocer's, and as Jim was totally unaware of his coming he had no chance to assume airs.
Darry looked at him eagerly, as though expecting to make a discovery; and this anticipation met with no disappointment.
There could be no doubt about Jim limping, and once he instinctively put his hand back of him as if to rub a spot that pained more or less.
Darry understood what it meant, and that he had not sent that shower of fine bird shot after the trio of desperate young scamps in vain.
If Hank Squires wanted positive evidence as to who had been connected with the firing of Mrs. Peake's out-buildings he could find it upon an examination of the person of Jim Dilks.
When the good-for-nothing caught sight of Darry it was surprising how he stiffened up and walked as upright as a drum-major.