“That’s none o’ my business,” replied the mate, turning away.
“Oh, come now,” said Corway, pleadingly, for he believed this man could tell more about the affair than he cared to.
“Well, all I seen was three swabs that said they was from the Sailor boardin’ house, chuck you aboard about two bells,” replied the mate, indifferently, as he straightened himself up.
Corway then noted the huge proportions of the fellow and thought: “What a terrorizing bully he could be to the poor sailors that chanced to anger him at sea.”
“But I never was in a sailor boarding house in my life.”
“Oh, tryin’ to crawfish from your bargain, eh?” laughed the big fellow. “It won’t go; ship’s bally well short-handed, long vige, too, and the capt’n had to do it!”
“Do what?” Corway sharply snapped.
“Why, he pays over the money afore they’d h’ist ye over the rail. Better talk to the capt’n. He’s comin’ for’ard now,” and the mate stepped over and leaned on the bulwark.
Corway at once turned and moved toward the captain, who was approaching with his first officer, from amidships, smoking a cigar.
“Yes, I am the captain. What do you want?”