“Why, that’s another condition,” said old Bates, with an oath; “first it was capture him, now it’s stop till he’s hanged; there seems to be some mystery about this whole affair, Captain Jack; there has been some bargain or other between you and this young Redgill.”
“Bargain,” said Captain Jack indignantly, “bargain! what do you mean?”
“Why I mean this, Captain Jack, that you’ve been doing a shuffling business with all of us.”
“Do you mean to insult me?” said Jack, placing his hand upon his sword and looking very ferocious.
“I don’t care whether you take it as an insult or not, one man’s word is as good as another, and young Redgill told the gaolers that you have had thousands from him one time and another.”
“Thousands!” said Captain Jack, indignantly, “why, the fellow must be mad to talk in that way; why, he never had thousands in all his life.”
“Not by fair means, I dare say, Jack; but there ain’t a doubt but what he has paid you well enough.”
“Now, look here, Bates,” said Captain Jack, “you must be either dreaming or mad; I only received what he owed me of borrowed money.”
“Borrowed money,” said Old Bates, laughing out lustily, “borrowed money, eh? Why, you must take me for a perfect fool, Captain Jack.”
“Well and suppose I do?”