"I said seven hundred thousand to be divided betwixt the two ships."
"Oh-ho! And ye'll take captain's share o' the James' half, eh? As well as your hundred thousand slice?"
"My terms are perfectly clear," returned Murray. "Now for my second point. When I return it may be we shall have need of swift keels. I recommend you to get your ship in decent condition. As she stands, you could be carried by a Portuguese slaver."
A shrewd look dawned in Flint's face.
"And where are ye a-goin' to pluck this million and a half o' treasure from?" he demanded. "You ha' said much of it, but you told me little. What course doth the treasure-ship sail? Where do you lurk for her? There's wide seas betwixt the Main and the Atlantic, and ye can't stop every hole, Murray."
"You may safely entrust that portion of the task to me," replied my great-uncle drily.
He offered me his hand, and somewhat to my own surprize I found myself inclined to accept it.
"Robert," he said, "I regret exceedingly the necessity I am under of inflicting this unpleasantness upon you. I shall endeavor to provide you adequate reparation. You also, friend Peter. Remember, we are working for a greater cause than our personal enrichment."
He vaulted lightly to the top of the bulwarks and dropped out of sight on the farther side. His shoes clicked on the ladder-cleats, and we heard the rattle of oars as his boat put off.
"Gut me, but there's times I think he believes all he says," swore Flint.