They were working westward at the time, killing whales as they went. Ahead was the Bay of Islands, and Port Russell. Southward, the Solander Rock, and the Solander Grounds, where all the big bull whales of the seven seas have a way of flocking as men flock to their clubs. A cow is seldom or never seen there; the bulls are slain by scores. Toward this hunting ground, as famous for its whales as it was infamous for its ugly weather, the _Sally Sims_ was working. They would touch at Port Russell on the way.... Three days before they were like to make the Port, Dan'l made an occasion to have words with Noll Wing. Noll was on deck, Faith and the officers--save Brander, who was with Mauger forward--were all below. There was a group of men by the tryworks; and Dan'l strolled that way. He moved inconspicuously, approaching them on the opposite side of the ship; and when he came near, he stopped and seemed to listen. Noll, aft, was paying him little attention though Dan'l made sure that the captain saw. Slatter was among the group of men; Dan'l scattered them, angrily, and drove them forward. When they were gone, he went aft again; and as he had expected, Noll asked: "What was that, Dan'l?" Dan'l smiled and said it was nothing that mattered; and his tone suggested that it mattered a great deal. Noll sternly bade him speak, and Dan'l said reluctantly: "It was but the foolish talk of idle men, sir. I bade them keep their tongues still." "What manner of foolish talk?" Dan'l would not meet Noll's eyes. "Why, lies," he said. "Chatter." Noll said heavily: "I'm not a man to be put off, Dan'l. Speak up, man." Dan'l frowned sorrowfully: "It was just their talk about Mr. Brander and Faith, sir. Lies, as I told you. They shut up when I spoke to them." "What talk of Brander and my wife?" Noll asked slowly. Dan'l shook his head. "You can guess it for yourself, sir. The men have nothing better to do than chatter and gossip like old women. They've had no work for three days. We need another whale to shut their mouths." "What talk?" Noll repeated. Dan'l smiled. "I think too well of Faith and of Brander to say it for you," he insisted. Noll fell silent, his brows lowering for a space; then he waved his great hand harshly. "Bosh," he said. "Foolishness." Dan'l nodded. "Of course. Nevertheless, I...." He fell silent; and Noll looked at him acutely. "You--what?" he asked. "I don't blame Mr. Brander, you understand," said Dan'l. "But--it's in my mind that--being with the crew as much as he is--he should put a stop to it." Noll's eyes ranged the deck. Brander was amidships now; and Mauger was still with him. Mauger was scraping at the rail, cleaning away some traces of soot from the last trying out, under Brander's eye. They were talking together; and Noll frowned and looked at Dan'l and asked: "You think Mr. Brander is too much with the crew?"