Part 15 (1/2)
”Dirty, sir, dirty.”
”Only business, skipper. I'd made up my mind to come, and it seemed to me the only way.”
”Ah, you were very clever; but it won't do sir. You're going ash.o.r.e.”
”But what about that cool drink, skipper?”
”And as soon as it's light,” said the captain, ignoring the request.
”Mr Dellow.”
”Ay, ay, sir.”
”Set the course a few miles nearer sh.o.r.e. No fear of a squall off here.”
”Well, I dunno, sir,” said the mate. ”I don't think I'd run in too close. The water's shallow, and there's often very heavy seas closer in.”
”Be bad for an open boat, skipper,” said the American.
”Very, sir,” said Captain Banes. ”I daresay you'll get pretty wet before you're set ash.o.r.e.”
”That's bad, skipper; but I wasn't thinking of myself, but about my traps.”
”Your traps?”
”Yes, I've got a lot of tackle that won't bear wetting. Dessay there's a ton altogether aboard.”
”What!” roared the captain. ”You've no goods aboard?”
”Oh, haven't I? Guns, ammunition, provisions, and stores of all sorts.”
”How did they get here? Bring 'em in your pocket?”
”Nonsense. Your second mate brought 'em aboard.”
”What? Here, Lynton, speak out. Have you been in collusion with this fellow, and brought his baggage aboard?”
”Not a bag, sir,” cried the mate indignantly.
”Oh, come, I like that!” said the American, laughing. ”Didn't I come and sit by you and smoke and see it all done?”
”No!” cried the second mate angrily.
”Well, you Englishmen can tell crackers when you like. What about that big cask with the holes in?”
”That cask? Was that yours?”
”Of course it was, and all the rest of the things on that truck,” said the American coolly. ”You don't suppose I should have come and sat there to see anybody else's tackle taken on board, do you?”
”Well,” broke in Brace, laughing, ”judging by what I've seen of you, sir, I should say you would.”