Mark asked sneeringly: “Are you afraid?”
The younger man flushed; but he said steadily: “Yes. Afraid of losing Asa Worthen’s ship for him.”
Mark chuckled unpleasantly. “I’m minded of what is written, here and there, in the ‘Log of the House of Shore,’” he said, half to himself. And he quoted: “‘All the brothers were valiant....’ There’s more to that, Joel. ‘And all the sisters virtuous.’ I had not known we had sisters—but it seems you’re one, boy. Not valiant, by your own admission; but at least you’re fairly virtuous.”
Joel paid no heed to the taunt. “Asa Worthen likes care taken of his ship,” he said, half to himself. “I’m thinking he would not think well of this.... He’s not a man to gamble....”
“Gamble?” Mark echoed scornfully. “He has no gamble in this. The pearls are for you and me. He will know nothing whatever about them. A handful for me, and a handful for you, Joel. For the taking....”
“You did not think to give him owner’s lay?” Joel asked.
“Where is this island?”
Mark laughed. “I’ll not be too precise—until I have your word, Joel. But—’tis to the northward.”
“Our course is west, then south.”