He stared at the huge figure of Matt Big Mary advancing upon him, with the other two men following. All three gaped at him. Matt, astonished, came to a halt.
“What’s this!” he rumbled. “Hughie! Where’s Hughie, lass? Who’s yon man?”
“Hughie’s gone to sleep,” said Hardrock, and came easily to his feet. “My name’s Callahan—”
“He’s a friend of Danny Vesty Gallagher,” broke in the girl swiftly. “From Arizona. And Danny had him buy this end of the island from Eddie John Macaulay, Father.”
“Shipwrecked on my own land,” said Hardrock, laughing. He held out his hand. “You’re Matt Callahan—Matt Big Mary? Danny has told me about you. Glad to meet you.”
Matt gave him a huge grip, between surprise and bewilderment.
“What’s all this? Bought it off of Eddie John, ye did? And what d’ye mean by shipwrecked? There’s been no boat—”
“My motorboat went down,” said Hardrock. “I got ashore with my duffle, though. Got a camp down shore a piece. Came over from St. James this morning.”
“Oh! And it’s a friend o’ Vesty Gallagher ye are, eh? What’s the matter with Hughie?”
“Hughie made a mistake,” Hardrock grinned cheerfully. “He didn’t believe that I had bought this bit of the island. Somehow, Hughie and I didn’t get along very well. He had some queer idea that I ought to walk home, and I didn’t agree with him. So he went to sleep. I guess I’ll be going. Drop over to my camp sometime. I’ll likely run in and see you again. Thanks for the coffee, Miss Nelly.”