It required a little effort to rouse Payson.

He was a slight boy, not over twenty-two, sallow-faced and freckled, with hair that gave him the only name his comrades knew him by.

Lane packed the boy's few possessions and talked vehemently all the time.

Red braced up, ready to go, but he had little to say and that with the weary nonchalance habitual with him.

Lane helped him up on deck, and the exertion, slight as it was, brought home to Lane that he needed help himself.