He was roused from his meditations by the entrance of Derry Duck, with an inkstand in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other.
Blair rose as the mate came towards him, supposing the writing materials were to be left in his charge for some shipmate.
"Sit down, boy," said Derry in his quick way, "sit down; I want you to do something for me." "I should be right glad to do any thing I could for you.

You have been a real friend to me," said Blair warmly.

"You can't think how much I thank you for it." Derry sat down and laid the paper on the table before him.

Then the two were for a moment silent.

Blair and his "friend" formed a strange contrast to each other.
The slender stripling, tall for his years, was yet in the blossom of his youth.