His acknowledgment of the other's right to strike with lash or club.

Yet in his eyes, bright and steady behind his mop of whiskers, Jolly Roger saw a prayer.
Without a word he held out his arms.

It was all Peter needed, and in a moment he was hugged up close against McKay.

After all, there was a mighty something that reached from heart to heart of these two, and Jolly Roger said, with a sound that was half laugh and half sob in his throat, "Pied-Bot, you devil--you little devil--" His fingers closed in the cloth about Peter's neck, and his heart jumped when he saw what it was--a piece of Nada's dress.

Peter, realizing that at last the importance of his mission was understood, waited in eager watchfulness while his master untied the knot.