She had been built on the Clyde, and was of course put together to stay—those canny Scots have a faculty for making timbers hold together through hurricane blows and all manner of extreme usage, that is unexcelled in any other part of the world, so that the very name carries weight; as does the Belfast engine, some of which on old White Star liners have done noble duty a score and a half of years.
Roderic's praise was so unstinted that the old captain, who loved his craft as only a seaman may, was quite tickled.
He had taken a great liking for Owen, which was not at all strange, for they were both men built very much upon the same model, possessing sterling characteristics.
Perhaps it was apt to become something of a mutual admiration society, for Roderic recognized a kindred spirit—what he admired in a man and sought to exemplify in his own person was present in the composition of this rough and ready British sailorman.
It also pleased him to know Cleo had been fortunate enough to secure such a reliable mariner, and yet he realized this was as much the result of good judgment on her part as any luck.
At least he would never suspect that the Virginia maid had immediately fancied the grim old mariner because she discovered many of his sterling characteristics to be the same as those she had admired in Roderic from boyhood.
That was her secret which she would hardly have acknowledged even to her own heart.
The weather too was propitious.
A splendid breeze blew, and as they were provided with sails, these were utilized in order to further increase their speed.