“No, no,” Herman Boyd put in. “Step’s mixed—that’s all. He’s thinking of what Sam caught—Little Perrine and Tom Orkney.”
Over in his corner Sam roused at the name. “Who’s talking about Orkney?” he called out.
“I am,” said Herman.
“Any news of him?”
“No, thank fortune!” Herman was not an especially vindictive fellow; but he had disliked Tom exceedingly.
Sam rose, and came over to the group about Step.
“Listen, you chaps; I’ve something to say about Orkney,” he began.
“Speech, speech!” shouted Poke.
“Very well; I’ll make a speech,” said Sam. “You may not agree with me, but I’m going to give you the truth as I see it. We’re wrong in this Orkney business; we’ve been wrong all along.”
There was a ripple of dissent.