Asa kicked the corner of his desk, watching his foot. "What else was
there?"
"I've nothing in my mind," said Joel, and shook his head. "But it sticks
in me that Mark was no man to die easy. There was a full measure of life
in him."
Asa got up awkwardly, waved his hand. "We're off the course, Joel. What
about the _Nathan Ross_? Ready for sea, come Tuesday. I'm not one to
press her on any man, unwilling. Say your say, man. Do you take her? Or
no?"
Joel drew slowly once more upon his pipe. "If I take her," he said,
"we'll work the Gilberts first of all, and try once again for a sign of
my brother Mark."
Asa jerked his head. "So you pick up any oil that comes your way, I've no
objection," he agreed. "Matter of fact, that's the best thing to do. Mark
may yet live." His eyes snapped up to the others. "You take her, then?"