“So I did, Ben. But I’ll have to tell my story in detail before you’ll understand it. First of all, though, let me ask Captain Ponsberry if his cargo is safe.”
“As safe as when we left home,” declared the master of the Columbia.
“Good! Have you received any orders from home since you arrived here?”
“Yes.”
“What orders?”
“That I wasn’t to attempt to deliver anything until I heard from you.”
“I’m glad of that.” Gilbert drew a deep breath. “That takes a weight off my shoulders. Now the next thing to do, captain, is to throw the most of those old orders for goods overboard.”
“I said you’d sell the Japanese,” declared Ben. “They are paying the best of prices for everything.”
“Exactly; and we’ll run no risk of having the cargo confiscated if we sell in Nagasaki,” added Gilbert.
“I shouldn’t mind running a risk on the high seas,” came from Larry, with a smile. “I’d like a little excitement.”