“Beg to report during gale off Finisterre, went to rescue of man overboard. Man overboard proved to be Reagan, gunner’s mate, first class, holding long-distance championship for swimming and two medals for saving life. After I sank the third time, Reagan got me by the hair and towed me to the ship. Who gets the assist?”
From Raffles’ Hotel, Singapore, the Orchid Hunter cabled:
“Have saved own valuable life by refusing any longer to drink Father’s beer. Give everybody medal.”
From Porto Cabello, Venezuela, Roddy wrote:
“I have saved lives of fifty Jamaica coolies daily by not carrying an axe. If you want to save my life from suicide, sunstroke and sleeping-sickness—which attacks me with special virulence immediately after lunch—come by next steamer.”
A week later, Peter de Peyster took the Red D boat south, and after touching at Porto Rico and at the Island of Curaçao, swept into Porto Cabello and into the arms of his friend.
On the wharf, after the shouts of welcome had died away, Roddy inquired anxiously: “As you made the harbor, Peter, did you notice any red and black buoys? Those are my buoys. I put them there—myself. And I laid out that entire channel you came in by, all by myself, too!”
Much time had passed since the two friends had been able to insult each other face to face.
“Roddy,” coldly declared Peter, “if I thought you had charted that channel I’d go home on foot, by land.”