When Mr. Ham, waiting by the boat with his men, saw Faith coming and saw
the stranger at her side, he came to meet them. His bearing was inclined
to truculence. Faith was ashore here in his charge; if this man had
disturbed her....
Faith reassured him. "I've a hand for you, Mr. Ham," she called. "You
need men."
Mr. Ham stopped, ten paces from them, with legs spread wide. He looked
from Faith to Brander. Brander smiled in a friendly way. "Can you use
me?" he asked. "I know the work."
Mr. Ham frowned thoughtfully. "What's this, ma'am?" he asked Faith.
"Who's that man?"
Faith said quietly: "Ask him. I believe he wants to ship. I told him we
were short."
The mate looked to Brander. His attitude toward Faith had been
deferential; toward Brander he assumed unconsciously the terrorizing
frown which he was accustomed to turn upon the men. "What do you want?"
he challenged.