Gunnar bent and lifted Valley View High School’s husky right end as easily as a child. “Ay take him below,” he said simply, shifting Jerry’s weight to one side and supporting him with one huge arm, while with the other he held fast to the rail. He staggered off.
Sam grinned at Sandy. “Nice work, Sandy,” he said, shouting through cupped hands again. “You sure made a friend today.”
Sandy nodded. He had glanced up to see Captain West staring down at him from the pilothouse. It recalled to him that the most important mission of his voyage still lay ahead of him, and that his dependable friend, Jerry, probably would no longer be of help.
“I sure hope so, Sam,” Sandy said. “Because I think I may be needing one.”
Then Sandy Steele and Sam swayed aft with the rest of the James Kennedy’s weary deck hands.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A Web of Lies
Jerry James’s ankle seemed swollen to twice its normal size by the time the big seaman, Gunnar, had carried him below and gently deposited him on the bottom bunk of Sandy’s and Jerry’s cabin.
“It’s yust a sprain, Ay tank,” Gunnar mumbled as he peered at the ankle after having removed Jerry’s dripping clothing and wrapped him in blankets.
“Does it hurt much, Jerry?” Sandy asked anxiously.
Jerry tried to smile and shrug it off. But it was obvious to Sandy that his friend was in great pain. He turned around, bumping into Sam, who had also jammed himself into the tiny room. Outside the open door, Mr. Briggs stared in at the scene with eyes of unpitying curiosity.