THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
an unmistakable Irish countenance, looked over his shoulder, and the men at the table craned their heads.
"Hello, kid!" said the cook. "You comin' to? Sure you can have some. All you want, I guess."
One of the others stepped across to the bunk. "How are you, Jack?" he asked.
"All right, I think. What boat's this?"
"Q-4. Where'd you come from?"
"Don't be bothering the lad with questions, Terry. He's down and out, I'll bet."
"I feel pretty fair, thanks," said Nelson. "I belong on the Gyandotte. I was on lookout last night—is it morning now?" The man nodded. "Last night it was, then. Something happened. Maybe a boat blew off the davits. Anyway, I went overboard. After awhile I caught hold of this boat and hung on. I shouted, but I thought you didn't hear me. Then someone flashed a light and I woke up down here. That's about all."
"And it's plenty, kid! You were all in when they grabbed you. How long were you in the water?"
"How does he know?" asked one of the others with deep disgust. "Suppose he looked at his watch and timed himself? Sit down here, you
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