Part 2 (1/2)

He strolled out to the pier and watched the last ropes cast loose. The s.h.i.+p was not large, and even in the dark it seemed dingy and dilapidated. He guessed that, big or small, this boat would carry her crew to some distant quarter of the world, and therefore to a place to be desired.

A strong voice gave an order from the deck--a hard voice with a ring in it like the striking of iron against iron. Harrigan glanced up with a start of recognition, and by the light of a swinging lantern he saw McTee. If he were in command, this s.h.i.+p was certainly going to a far port. Black water showed between the dock and the s.h.i.+p. In a moment more it would be beyond reach, and that thought decided Harrigan. He made a few paces back, noted the aperture in the rail of the s.h.i.+p where the gangplank was being drawn in, then ran at full speed and leaped high in the air.

The three sailors at the rail shouted their astonishment as Harrigan struck the edge of the gangplank, reeled, and then pitched forward to his knees. He rose and shook himself like a cat that has dropped from a high fence to the ground.

”What're you?”

”I'm the extra hand.”

And Harrigan ran up the steps to the bridge. There he found McTee with the first and second mates.

”McTee,” he said, ”I came on your s.h.i.+p by chance an' saw you. If you _can_ use an extra hand, let me stay. I'm footfree an' I need to be movin' on.”

Even through the gloom he caught the glint of the Scotchman's eye.

”Get off the bridge!” thundered McTee.

”But I'm Harrigan, and--”

McTee turned to his first and second mates.

”Throw that man off the bridge!” he ordered.

Harrigan didn't wait. He retreated down the steps to the deck and went to the rail. A wide gap of swarthy water now extended between the s.h.i.+p and the dock, but he placed his knee on the rail ready to dive. Then he turned and stood with folded arms looking up to the bridge, for his mind was dark with many doubts. He tapped a pa.s.sing sailor on the shoulder.

”What sort of an old boy is the captain?”

He made up his mind that according to the answer he would stay with the s.h.i.+p or swim to the sh.o.r.e, but the sailor merely stared stupidly at him for a moment and then grinned slowly. There might be malice, there might be mere ridicule in that smile. He pa.s.sed on before another question could be asked.

”Huh!” grunted Harrigan. ”I stay!”

He kept his eyes fixed on the bridge, remaining motionless at the rail for an hour while the glow of Honolulu grew dimmer and dimmer past the stern. There were lights in the after-cabin and he guessed that the s.h.i.+p, in a small way, carried both freight and pa.s.sengers. At last McTee came down the steps to the deck and as he pa.s.sed Harrigan snapped: ”Follow me.”

He led the way aft and up another flight of steps to the after-cabin, unlocked a door, and showed Harrigan into the captain's room. Here he took one chair and Harrigan dropped easily into another.

”Now, what 'n h.e.l.l was your line of thinkin', McTee,” he began, ”when you told me to--”

”Stand up!” said McTee.

”What?”

”Stand up!”

Harrigan rose very slowly. His jaw was setting harder and harder, and his face became grim.

”Harrigan, you took a chance and came with me.”

”Yes.”