"The strength that counts is the strength of spirit, and this girl has your own fighting spirit."
"Do you think so?"
"Yes; I saw it in her eyes."
Henshaw shook his head sadly.
"No; they're the eyes of her grandmother, and she had no fighting spirit. I think I married her more for pity than for love. Her grandmother died by that same disease, McTee."
The latter gave up the struggle and spent an hour soothing the excited old man. When he managed to escape, he went up and down the deck breathing deeply of the fresh air. For the moment Harrigan was safe, but it would not be long before he would force Henshaw to deliver the order. Into this reverie broke the voice of Jerry Hovey.
"Beg your pardon, Captain McTee."
The Scotchman turned to the bos'n with the smile still softening his stern lips.
"Well?" he asked good-naturedly.
"Let me have half a dozen words, sir."