"Of course," she agreed. "I just wanted to know. Of course...." She
hesitated, seemed about to speak, then held her peace. Brander was the
only man aboard who had the training; Noll must see that, give him time.
Faith wanted to see Brander in the cabin. She admitted this to herself,
quite frankly; she did not even ask whether there was anything shameful
in this desire of hers. She knew there was not.... The girl had come to
have an almost reverential regard for the welfare of the _Sally_; for
the prosperity of the cruise. It was her husband's charge; the
responsibility lay on him. She wanted matters to go well; she wanted
Noll to keep unstained his ancient record.... Brander, she knew, would
help him. Brander was a man, an able officer, skillful and courageous; a
good man to have at one's back in any battle.... She was beginning to
see that Noll would need a friend before this cruise was done; she
wanted Brander on Noll's side.
It may be that there was mingled with this desire a wish that Brander
might have the place that was due him; but there was nothing in her
thoughts of the man that Noll might not have known.
She watched Noll, next day; and more than once she caught him watching
where Brander aided with some routine task, or talked with the men.
There was trouble in Noll's eyes; and because she had come to understand
her husband very fully, Faith could guess this trouble. Noll was torn
between respect for Brander, and fear of him....
Brander, that day of Mr. Ham's death, had faced Noll unafraid; Noll knew
he was no coward. But by the same token, he had sworn to have Brander
whipped, and had not done so. He recognized the strength and courage in
the man; and at the same time he hated Brander as we hate those we have
wronged. Brander was not afraid of Noll; and for that reason, if for no
other, Noll was afraid of Brander. In the old days, when he walked in
his strength, Noll Wing had feared no man, had asked no man's fear. His
own fist had sufficed him. But now, when his heart was growing old in
his breast, he was the lone wolf.... He must inspire fear, or be himself
afraid.... He was afraid of Brander.
Afraid of Brander.... But Noll was no fool. No man who is a fool can
long master other men as Noll had mastered them. He set himself to
consider the matter of Brander, and decide what was to be done.
That night, when dark had fallen, and the _Sally Sims_ was idling on a
slowly stirring sea, Noll called the mates into the cabin. Faith and Roy
were on deck together; and Roy, with a boy's curiosity, stole to the top
of the cabin companion to listen to what passed. Faith paid him little
attention; she was astern, watching the phosphorescent sparks that
glowed and vanished in the disturbed water on the _Sally's_ wake. The
whaler was scarce moving at all; there was no foam on the water behind
her; but the little swirls and eddies were outlined in fire....
Noll looked around the table at the other mates; and he said heavily:
"We've got to have a new officer."
They knew that as well as he; the statement called for no reply. Only
Dan'l Tobey said: "Yes, sir.... And a man we know, and can count on."
Noll raised his big head and looked at Dan'l bleakly. "Mr. Tobey," he
said, "you know the men. Who is there that measures up to our wants,
d'you think?"
Dan'l started to speak; then he hesitated, changed his mind.... Said at
last: "I'm senior officer here, sir. But--I've not the experience that
Mr. Tichel has, for instance. Perhaps he has some one in mind."