Did you feel that ?" (A puff had caught the schooner, and he was forced to put the wheel up rapidly to keep her out of the wind.) "'Tis no egg-shell'll float on this sea an hour come, an' it's a stroke iv luck for them we're here to pick 'em up." Wolf Larsen strode aft from amidships, where he had been talking with the rescued men.

The cat-like springiness in his tread was a little more pronounced than usual, and his eyes were bright and snappy.
"Three oilers and a fourth engineer," was his greeting.

"But we'll make sailors out of them, or boat-pullers at any rate.

Now, what of the lady ?" I know not why, but I was aware of a twinge or pang like the cut of a knife when he mentioned her.

I thought it a certain silly fastidiousness on my part, but it persisted in spite of me, and I merely shrugged my shoulders in answer.
Wolf Larsen pursed his lips in a long, quizzical whistle.
"What's her name, then ?" he demanded.
"I don't know," I replied.