"And I must lose how many months' cruising the while you wait for the treasure-ship?"
"Six or more."
"Gut me, but ye bargain like a Jew, Murray!"
"And like a Jew I pay well and surely, offering good security."
"I see it not," fended Flint, and drained the last of his rum.
"I pay seven hundred thousand pounds, to be divided share and share by the two ships' companies, and your company will incur no risk to win it."
Flint rose and settled his belt.
"I accept, for that I can do no better," he said. "But I must have the hostage. He's the weak point of it all; but I must take some chance, and curse me if seven hundred thousand pounds be not worth the gamble."
He snapped his finger toward me.
"Come on, my lad. We'll show you the life of real gentlemen adventurers aboard the Walrus."