“That is my own lookout.”
“What strange people you Americans are! But is it large enough?”
“It’s eighty feet long and twenty-eight inches through.”
“That is long enough,” said the Frenchman. “It is a very little shorter than the old yard, but will answer, as the sail does not haul out. It is more than large enough.”
“It is a very good stick—worth two of your old one.”
“But to take your mast out of your vessel you will ask a great price.”
“If you will take it out,—for I have no purchase sufficient,—give me your old spar and a thousand dollars, you may have it.”
“A thousand dollars!” interrupted the lieutenant. “That is more than your whole craft is worth.”
“Perhaps so to you, but not so to me. Besides, I risk my life, and that of my men, and my cargo, by disabling my vessel.”
“I must have the spar, and I’ll give you the money,” said the captain.