Mr Rogers managed to lift his hand a little way to meet Captain Cai's grasp. "Eh? Eh? I've been moored here since breakfast on the look-out for 'ee." He spoke indistinctly by reason of his paralysis. "They brought word early that the Hannah Hoo was in, and I gave orders straight away for a biled leg o' mutton—with capers—an' spring cabbage. Twelve-thirty we sit down to it, it that suits?"
"Thank 'ee, I should just say it did suit! . . . You got my last letter, posted from the Azores?"
"To be sure I did. I've taken the two houses for 'ee, what's more, an' the leases be drawn ready to sign. . . . But where's your friend? He'll be welcome too—that is, if you don't hold three too many for a leg o' mutton?"
"'Bias Hunken? . . . You didn't reckon I was bringing him along with me, did you?"
"I reckoned nothin' at all, not knowin' the man."
"Well, he's at West Indy Docks, London,—or was, a week ago. I saw it on 'The Shipping Gazette' two days before we left the Mersey: the I'll Away, from New Orleans; barquentine, and for shape in tonnage might be own sister to the Hannah Hoo; but soft wood and Salcombe built. I was half fearing 'Bias might get down to Troy ahead of me."
"He hasn't reported himself to me, anyway. . . . But we'll talk about him and other things later on."
Mr Rogers dismissed the subject as the Quaymaster came sidling up to join them. Mild gossip was a passion with the Quaymaster, and eavesdropping his infirmity.
"Well, Cap'n Cai, and so you've hauled ashore—and for good, if I hear true?"
"For good it is, please God," answered Captain Cai, lifting his hat at the word. He was a simple man and a pious.