He said he had been a fireman on an ocean liner, but had lost three fingers in some machinery and been discharged.
"I am hard up," he pleaded.

"I'll work for almost anything." The captain was kind hearted, and as the _Rainbow_ could use another deck hand he told the man to bring his luggage aboard, which the fellow did.

The newcomer's name was Walt Wingate, and he did his best to make friends with everybody on board.

He had a low, musical voice, and was frequently whistling popular airs.
"He's an odd one," said Dick, after noticing the new deck hand several times.

"He seems real nice and yet--" "You don't like him," finished Sam.
"That's it, Sam." "Neither do I, and I can't tell why." "Well, he hasn't anything to do with us.