This talk wore away a good part of the afternoon; and then Justin arose to go.
“I came on board in the hope of persuading you to return with me and spend the afternoon and evening at our rustic dwelling,” said Justin, standing, cap in hand.
“Not to-day. To-morrow, perhaps. We shall be here three or four days, at least. The ship’s carpenter reports our injuries from the late gale much more serious, or, at least, more extensive, than we had supposed them to be. He says it will take the best part of a week to get her ready for sea again. When we sail I hope you will go with us. I dare say you have no desire to colonize here?”
“Not the slightest. I and my companions in exile will very gladly take passage with you,” said Justin.
“And I shall be very glad to have you. But mind! I do not promise to take you home immediately. We may have a bout or two with the rebel privateers first,” explained the captain.
“‘So mote it be!’ I should enjoy a bout or two with the rebel privateers; and bear a hand in it as well as I could.”
“I’ll warrant you!”
“And now, captain, I have a large quantity of provisions, consisting of live stock, fresh vegetables, fish, eggs, fruits and so forth, which I would like to place at your disposal,” said Justin.
“Oh, I wouldn’t like to rob you of them! In fact, I couldn’t think of doing so,” said the captain, while his palate, almost pickled with a surfeit of salt food, fairly watered at the mention of fresh meat and vegetables.
“But,” said Justin, smiling, as he noticed this, “if we are to be your passengers, where will be the robbery?”