He tapped a passing sailor on the shoulder.
"What sort of an old boy is the captain ?" He made up his mind that according to the answer he would stay with the ship or swim to the shore, but the sailor merely stared stupidly at him for a moment and then grinned slowly.

There might be malice, there might be mere ridicule in that smile.

He passed on before another question could be asked.
"Huh!" grunted Harrigan.

"I stay!" He kept his eyes fixed on the bridge, remaining motionless at the rail for an hour while the glow of Honolulu grew dimmer and dimmer past the stern.

There were lights in the after-cabin and he guessed that the ship, in a small way, carried both freight and passengers.