Ned, all alone, was pacing his deck in the starlight.

A form ascended the side, and approached him.

Capt.

Ned said: "Who goes there ?" "I'm Bill Noakes, the best man in the islands." "What do you want aboard this ship ?" "I've heard of Capt.

Ned Blakely, and one of us is a better man than 'tother--I'll know which, before I go ashore." "You've come to the right shop--I'm your man.