These two interests had now absorbed his entire life for the
moment--his love for Blix, and his novel. Little by little "In
Defiance of Authority" took shape. The boom restaurant and the
club of the exiles were disposed of, Billy Isham began to come to
the front, the filibustering expedition and Senora Estrada (with
her torn calling card) had been introduced, and the expedition was
ready to put to sea. But here a new difficulty was encountered.
"What do I know about ships?" Condy confessed to Blix. "If Billy
Isham is going to command a filibustering schooner, I've got to
know something about a schooner--appear to, anyhow. I've got to
know nautical lingo, the real thing, you know. I don't believe a
REAL sailor ever in his life said 'belay there,' or 'avast.' We'll
have to go out and see Captain Jack; get some more technical
detail."
This move was productive of the most delightful results. Captain
Jack was all on fire with interest the moment that Condy and Blix
told him of the idea.
"An' you're going to put Billy Isham in a book. Well, strike me
straight, that's a snorkin' good idea. I've always said that all
Billy needed was a ticket seller an' an advance agent, an' he was
a whole show in himself."
"We're going to send it East," said Blix, "as soon as it's
finished, and have it published."
"Well, it ought to make prime readin', Miss; an' that's a good
fetchin' title, 'In Defiance of Authority.'"
Regularly Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, Blix and Condy came out
to the lifeboat station.
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