Ferrier never had an uncivil word. One rough customer whom
he asked to board the yacht grinned and answered, "No, sir; I don't hold
with Bethel ships. But," he added remorsefully, "I've heard I reckon
fifty times about you and your ladies and gentlemen, and if you was
capsized out o' that eer boat, I'd have mine out and take her arter you
my own self if the seas was a comin' over that there mast-head."
Then Lewis shook hands with his frank opponent, who grinned affably and
waved until the boat was nearly out of sight. When the time for parting
came, Blair told the Admiral, and the bold fellow said humbly, "Well,
you've done us good. If you only knew, sir, what it is for _us_--_us_,
you know, to have people like you among us, why you'd go and give such a
message as would make the gentlemen ashore feel regular funny. When I
first come to sea we was brutes, and we was treated as brutes. We know
you can't do everything, but just the thought of you being about makes a
difference. It makes men prouder and more ready to take care o'
themselves--if you'll excuse me saying so."
"We'll do far more yet, Admiral," interposed Fullerton. "We're learning
to walk at present. Wait till you see us in full going order, and none
of you will know yourselves."
"Well, good-bye, sir. And I want to ask you particular, sir--_very_
particular. If the wind suits, don't run for home till just about dusk
to-morrow evening, and go through us.
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