“Only Johnny,” replied the captain indifferently. “He was born drunk, Johnny was; his father was so before him; and three uncles. He ain’t any great loss.” “Did you see Johnny’s mother, Captain,--on the cliff, there,--that night?” “I didn’t take notice of her particular,” replied Captain Hap comfortably. “I see several women round. There’s usually a good many on the rocks, such times.” “Well, you’ve got me,” said Bayard with a smiling sigh. “I’m a little too weak to play the parson on you yet, you Christian heathen--you stony-hearted minister of mercy!” “Sho!” said the captain. “’Tain’t fair to call names. I can’t hit back; on a sick man.” “Very well,” said Bayard, sinking back on his thin, small pillows. “Just go ahead and tell me the whole business, then. Where is Job Slip?” “Off haddockin’.” “Sober?” “So far. He’s come over here half a dozen times, but the doctor wouldn’t let him up to see you. His wife come, too. That woman, she’d kiss the popples[1] underneath your rubber-boots.” “Where’s Johnny’s mother?” “They took her to the Widders’ Home yesterday. Some of ’em screeches all the way over. Folks say she never said nothing.” “What became of all those men--the crew and captain?” “Why, they waited till ebb, just as I told you. Then they come ashore, the whole twelve on ’em. The crew they come first, and Cap’n Salt--that’s Joe Salt--he follered after. There was some folks waited round to see ’em off--but it come up dreadful thick, spite of the breeze; so thick it had stems to it. You couldn’t see the vessel, not a line of her, and ’twas kinder cold and disagree’ble. So most the folks went home. But they got ashore, every man-jack of ’em alive.” “Thank God!” breathed the sick man. “Well,” said the captain, “that’s a matter of opinion. You’ve talked enough, sir.” “Just one more, Cap’n Hap! Just this! This I’ve _got_ to know. What was it--exactly--that those men did? How did they come to be in such a plight? How in the world--that beautiful new boat--and an intelligent officer at the helm, Captain--how on earth did it come about?”