He was obliged to elbow his way through the group of men who surrounded the telegraph operator. Oakum Otie followed on his heels, resolved to study at close range the mystery of telegraphing, realizing what he needed for his own instruction. “These telegrams are important and they must go at ore, madam,” Mayo informed the flustered young woman. “I can't send them. I am bothered so much I can't do anything,” she stammered. “Oh, forget your business, skipper,” advised one of the party. “It is not my business, sir.” He laid the packet of messages before the operator on her little counter and tapped his finger on them. “They must go,” he repeated. “In their turn,” warned the yachtsman, showing that he resented this intrusion. “And after the party is over!” “I intended to confine my conversation to this young lady,” said Mayo. He turned and faced them. “But I have been here long enough to see that you gentlemen are interfering with the business of this office. Perhaps your messages are not important. Mine are.” The yachtsman was not sober nor was he judicious. “Go back to your job, young fellow,” he advised. “You are horning in among gentlemen.” “So am I,” squawked Mr. Speed, with weather eye out for clouds of any sort. Captain Mayo gave his supporter a glance of mingled astonishment and relish. “We'd better not have any words about the matter, gentlemen,'' he suggested, mildly. “Certainly not,” stated the spokesman. “If you'll pass on there'll be no words--or anything else.” “Then we'll dispense with words!” The quick anger of youth flared in Mayo. The air of the man rather than his words had offended deeply. “You'd like to have this room to yourself so that you can attend to your business, I presume?” he asked the operator. “Yes, I would.” Oakum Otie laid his folded paper upon the packet of Captain Mayo. “You will leave the room gentlemen,” advised the captain. Mr. Speed thrust out his bony elbows and cracked his hard fists together. “I have never liked dudes,” he stated. “I have been brought up that way. All my training with Cap'n Epps has been that way.” “How do you fit into this thing?” demanded one of the yachtsmen. “About like this,” averred Mr. Speed. He grabbed the young man by both shoulders and ran him out into the night before anybody could interfere. Then Mr. Speed reappeared promptly and inquired, “Which one goes next?” “I think they will all go,” said the captain. “Come on,” urged one of the party. “We can't afford to get into a brawl with natives.” “You bet you can't,” retorted Oakum Otie. “I hain't hove bunches of shingles all my life for nothing!” Mayo said nothing more. But after the yachtsmen had looked him over they went out, making the affair a subject for ridicule. “Hope I done right and showed to you that I was thankful for good advice,” suggested Mr. Speed, seeking commendation. “Just a bit hasty, sir.”