Noll shifted uneasily in his chair. "Just the same," he said, "Mauger
holds a grudge against me.... He but waits his chance for a knife in my
back.... And Brander is his friend, you'll mind."
"You're not afraid of the two of them.... There's no need. I'll
undertake to see to that...."
"You're a strong man, Dan'l," said old Noll. "A strong, youthful man....
But I'm getting old. Eh, Dan'l...." His voice broke with his pity of
himself. "Eh, Dan'l, I've sailed the sea too long...."
Dan'l said, with some scorn in his tone: "Nevertheless, you're not
afraid...."
Then Faith opened the door from the after cabin; and Dan'l checked his
word. Faith looked from Dan'l to her husband, and her eyes hardened as
she looked to Dan'l again. "You'll not be saying Noll Wing is afraid
of--anything, Dan'l," she said mildly.
"I'm telling him," said Dan'l, "that he should not permit Brander to
claim the ambergris for himself."