“Miss L'Estrange,” said Augustus Bramleigh.
“Why didn't you say she was here, and I'd not have made any 'bones' about stopping? I don't know I was ever as spooney as I was about that girl up at Albano. And did n't I work like a negro to get back her two thousand pounds out of that precious coal mine? Aye, and succeeded too. I hope she knows it was Tom Cutbill saved the ship. Maybe she 'll think I 've come to claim salvage.”
“She has heard of all your good-nature, and is very grateful to you,” said Gusty.
“That's right; that's as it ought to be. Doing good by stealth always strikes me as savoring of a secret society. It's Thuggee, or Fenian, or any other dark association you like.”
“I'll go forward and meet them, if you'll permit me,” said Augustus, and, not waiting a reply, hurried on towards the wood.
“Look here, Master Jack,” said Cutbill, stopping short and facing round in front of him. “If you mean as a practice to sit upon me, every occasion that arises, just please to say so.”
“Nothing of the kind, man; if I did, I promise you once would be quite enough.”
“Oh, that's it, is it?”
“Yes, that's it.”
“Shake hands, then, and let us have no more squabbling. If you ever find me getting into shoal-water, and likely to touch a sandbank, just call out 'Stop her!' and you 'll see how I 'll reverse my engine at once. It's not in my line, the locomotives, but I could drive if I was put to it, and I know well every good lesson a man acquires from the practice.”