He did not stop to shake the grimy hands which were thrust out to him. He pushed his way out of the crowd, and his party followed.
“Meet me yonder on the main, boys,” he called back with a sailor heartiness which they understood. “We'll see what can be done!”
“Well, what in the infernal blazes can be done?” growled Captain Candage, catching step with the champion.
“I don't know, sir.”
“You can't do nothing any more sensible with them critters than you could with combined cases of the smallpox and the seven years' itch.”
“Father!” cried the girl, reproachfully.
“I know what I'm talking about! This is dum foolishness!”
“Captain Mayo is a noble man! You ought to be ashamed of hanging back when your help is needed.”
“I don't blame you for sassing that skewangled old tywhoopus, sir,” admitted the old skipper. “I wanted to do it myself. But—”
“I'm afraid I don't deserve much praise,” said Mayo. “I've been getting back at that agent. He made me mad. I'm apt to go off half-cocked like that.”