"Why don't ye write that letter?" his father demanded.

"So you say that the girl can't get better unless she goes to a
specialist?" his son enquired.

"It's what the doctors say; that's all I know about it. But git on
with that letter, will ye?"

"Look here, dad," and Jimmy laid aside the pen. "I'm going to the city
in the morning, and suppose I see old Dodge about the matter. It will
be much better than writing a letter. I can explain things which I
couldn't write."

"Maybe that would be the best way," the captain agreed. "But put it up
to him straight, Jimmy. He's a gruff cur at times, but he's got a big
heart."

"I'll attend to that, dad. Just leave it to me."

The captain was very restless the next day. He thought that the time
for the arrival of the evening boat would never come. Jimmy was to
return on her, and suppose Dodge was unwilling to assist! What would
he do? His eyes often turned toward the _Roaring Bess_ riding at
anchor before the house. Several times he stood in front of the door
and looked out over his few acres of land. What his thoughts were he
kept to himself, but the expression, of determination in his eyes told
of a man who would not easily be balked in the object upon which he had
set his heart and mind.

Captain Josh met Jimmy at the wharf, and the two walked down the road