that 's when i felt something round and hard poking my spine . when he was sitting there in front of me , he hardly came above my knee . i was pretty sure you 'd get through somehow . '' the captain grabbed beth and hoisted her onto the dock . without finishing the article or bothering with breakfast he threw a few things in a suitcase and got out of town as quickly as he could . he did n't hesitate , not in expression , not in action . 