"Oh, I get along. But, what's the use?" Murk wanted to know. "I ain't got anybody--I get lonesome lots of times. If I had money, it might be different." "I'm not so sure about that," said Prale, smiling a bit. "I've got a million dollars, and, as far as I know right this minute, I have just one friend in New York." "If I had a million dollars I wouldn't care whether I had a friend or not," Murk said. "You can be just as lonesome with a million dollars as you can without a cent," Prale told him. "I was sitting down here because I was lonesome, and because there are some enemies working at me, and I don't know who they are or why they want to trouble me." "Well, let's jump in the drink together," Murk said. "Why not fight it out?" asked Sidney Prale. "Mister, I've been fightin' for years, and it don't get me anything. It just tires me out--that's all. The next world can't be any worse than this." "Are you a fighter, or a quitter?" "Nobody ever called me a quitter." "But you were trying to be a few minutes ago. You were going to quit like a yellow dog!" Prale told him. "You were going to throw up the sponge and give the devil a laugh." "That's between me and the devil--nobody else would care." "If you had a friend, an influential friend, and didn't have to keep up a continual fight to hold body and soul together, could you manage to face the world a little longer?" "I reckon I could." "How old are you?" "Thirty-five," said Murk. "Old enough to have some sense. I am three years older. I'm almost as lonesome as you are. Why not join forces, Murk?" "Sir?" "If I showed you a corner where you would fit in, would you be loyal? Would you stand by me, help me fight if it was necessary, and all that?" "You just try me--that's all." "Very well, Murk, I'm going to trust you. I told you the truth when I said I had a million dollars. I have but one friend I can depend upon, and I have enemies. I like to fight, Murk, but I like to have a good pal at my back when I do." "That's me, too, sir; but I ain't ever had the pal." "You've got one now, Murk. You'd be dead now, but for me. So you must be my man, understand?" "I don't quite getcha." "You're under my orders from now on, Murk. We'll have a nice row, standing back to back perhaps. I'll take you on as a sort of valet and bodyguard. You'll have good clothes and a home and plenty to eat and a bit of money to spend. I'll expect you to be loyal. If I find that you are not--well, Murk, I got back yesterday from Central America. I got my million down there, by fighting for it, and there were times when I had to handle men roughly. I can read men, Murk. Can you imagine what I'd do to a man who double crossed me?" "I getcha now! You needn't be afraid I'll double cross you. I don't think this is real." "It's real, Murk, if we strike a bargain. Do we?" "I've got everything to win and nothin' to lose--so we do!" Murk said. "Fair enough. Now we'll get off this dock. Pick up your cap and coat."