Faith was filling out the gaps in his narrative from her own understanding of the life aboard a whaler. She could guess what Brander must have endured; she thought he had done well to come through it and still smile.... She thought he was a man.... They could see the surf, through the thinning bush, when he said: "You haven't told me how you happen to be aboard the _Sally Sims_...." Faith had almost forgotten, herself. She remembered, and something like a chill of sorrow struck down upon her. But: "I am Noll Wing's wife," she said. They came out, abruptly, into the white glare of the beach, Mr. Ham's boat was drawn up, a quarter-mile away. Brander looked toward it, looked at Faith. "Ah," he said quietly. "Then yonder is your husband's boat, waiting.... Noll Wing is an able skipper...." Faith said nothing. They went on, side by side, toward Mr. Ham. IX When Mr. Ham, waiting by the boat with his men, saw Faith coming and saw the stranger at her side, he came to meet them. His bearing was inclined to truculence. Faith was ashore here in his charge; if this man had disturbed her.... Faith reassured him. "I've a hand for you, Mr. Ham," she called. "You need men." Mr. Ham stopped, ten paces from them, with legs spread wide. He looked from Faith to Brander. Brander smiled in a friendly way. "Can you use me?" he asked. "I know the work." Mr. Ham frowned thoughtfully. "What's this, ma'am?" he asked Faith. "Who's that man?" Faith said quietly: "Ask him. I believe he wants to ship. I told him we were short." The mate looked to Brander. His attitude toward Faith had been deferential; toward Brander he assumed unconsciously the terrorizing frown which he was accustomed to turn upon the men. "What do you want?" he challenged. Brander said pleasantly: "To ship with you." "What are you doing here?" "I was third mate on the _Thomas Morgan_," said Brander. "Cap'n Marks?" Mr. Ham asked. "Yes." "We've no use for any o' Marks's mates aboard the _Sally_." Brander smiled. "I wasn't thinking of shipping as mate. Can you use a hand?" "Where's the _Thomas Morgan_?" "On th' Solander Grounds, likely." "How come you're not with her?" "I left them, hereabouts." "Left them?" "Yes." "They've not the name of letting men go." "They had no choice. They were--otherwise engaged when I took my leave." "That's a slovenly ship," said Mr. Ham. "One reason why I'm not on her now." The mate frowned. "I'm not saying it's not in your favor that you got away from them.... And we do need men." He added hastily: "Men; not officers." "That suits me." Mr. Ham looked around. Faith stood a little at one side, listening quietly. The _Sally_ rocked on the swells outside.... "Well, come aboard," said the mate. "See what the Old Man says."