“Well, I could look a square meal in the face without feeling embarrassed,” confessed Ned with a laugh.
“Well, if ever a lad deserved it, you’re the one,” declared old Simpkins admiringly. “I guess we’ll have to call you ‘Ned the Giant Killer,’ after this.”
“Not as bad as that, I hope,” laughed Ned good-naturedly.
“Humph,” snorted Herc, “I reckon ‘Jack the Giant Killer’ wouldn’t be one, two, three beside Ned Strong. Eight at one fell swoop, not to mention the party marooned on the roof, is a pretty good day’s work. By the way, what was the name of that place?”
“‘The Fair Wind.’ Why?”
“They ought to change its name to ‘Look Out for Squalls.’”
CHAPTER IX.
ANCHORS A’TRIP.
“The captain wishes to see you at once.”
An orderly had just stepped up to Ned and given the above message. Ned hastened aft at once. Such orders were to be obeyed in a hurry. As he went along the decks he wondered what the import of the summons might be.