As the garçon was unable to solve the difficulty and get the skipper out of the clove-hitch, the boy tapped him modestly on the shoulder.
He turned at once and gave Kep a little more room.
"Strike me lucky!" he said, "if I knowed there war any crittur there."
Kep smiled conciliatively.
"I know all that these men are saying," he said.
"Well, fire away, younk, and I pay you smartly."
"I don't want pay. I'm looking for a ship like the rest of them, and if you can help me, I'll be glad to do anything I can for you."
"You're true blue? Nothing of this sort?"
As he spoke he adroitly picked his red silk handkerchief from his own pocket and nimbly palmed it.
Kep laughed rightly merrily.