“Why didn’t you do it first?” she broke out. “If people knew that Danny had sent you here, and Vesty Gallagher would answer for you, there’d have been no trouble! Vesty is a big man on the island. A word from him--” “My dear girl, I stand on my own feet,” said Hardrock quietly. “The sunken boat you saw was mine. Two of Connie’s friends got after me. I suppose they thought it was quite safe, for the rain was coming down in sheets and one could scarcely see three hundred yards. They ran me down before I knew what they were up to. Fortunately, I had time to cut the canoe loose and get into her, and then I opened up on the two rascals with my shotgun, and gave them plenty. Never fear! When I go over to St. James I’ll know ’em again, and take a little punishment out of them for the loss of that motorboat. Satisfied, are you?” Under his twinkling gray eyes, the girl laughed a little. “Hold it!” he exclaimed. “Oh, no use--gone again.” “Eh?” Her gaze widened. “What?” “Those dimples. How long is this camp to continue?” “Until the first of the week.” Nelly Callahan was disconcerted by his abrupt change of subject and forgot to resent the personality. “Father’s rounding up some cattle and counting how many there are here.” “Good! Then I’ll be over to the dance next Thursday night. May I take you?” She was startled by his words. She was more startled a moment later when a crashing of brush sounded, and she leaped to her feet. “Oh! Father’s coming--” “Answer the question,” persisted Hardrock. “Quick!” “Yes,” she said, and then turned swiftly to him. “Go quickly--” “Nonsense!” Hardrock puffed at his pipe. “Nothing to get excited about. I’m not going to start any trouble, I promise you. Great Scott! Is that your father?” He stared at the huge figure of Matt Big Mary advancing upon him, with the other two men following. All three gaped at him. Matt, astonished, came to a halt. “What’s this!” he rumbled. “Hughie! Where’s Hughie, lass? Who’s yon man?” “Hughie’s gone to sleep,” said Hardrock, and came easily to his feet. “My name’s Callahan--” “He’s a friend of Danny Vesty Gallagher,” broke in the girl swiftly. “From Arizona. And Danny had him buy this end of the island from Eddie John Macaulay, Father.” “Shipwrecked on my own land,” said Hardrock, laughing. He held out his hand. “You’re Matt Callahan--Matt Big Mary? Danny has told me about you. Glad to meet you.” Matt gave him a huge grip, between surprise and bewilderment. “What’s all this? Bought it off of Eddie John, ye did? And what d’ye mean by shipwrecked? There’s been no boat--” “My motorboat went down,” said Hardrock. “I got ashore with my duffle, though. Got a camp down shore a piece. Came over from St. James this morning.” “Oh! And it’s a friend o’ Vesty Gallagher ye are, eh? What’s the matter with Hughie?”