Well, strike me straight, that's a snorkin' good idea.

I've always said that all Billy needed was a ticket seller an' an advance agent, an' he was a whole show in himself." "We're going to send it East," said Blix, "as soon as it's finished, and have it published." "Well, it ought to make prime readin', Miss; an' that's a good fetchin' title, 'In Defiance of Authority.'" Regularly Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, Blix and Condy came out to the lifeboat station.

Captain Jack received them in sweater and visored cap, and ushered them into the front room.
"Well, how's the yarn getting on ?" Captain Jack would ask.
Then Condy would read the last chapter while the Captain paced the floor, frowning heavily, smoking cigars, listening to every word.
Condy told the story in the first person, as if Billy Isham's partner were narrating scenes and events in which he himself had moved.

Condy called this protagonist "Burke Cassowan," and was rather proud of the name.

But the captain would none of it.