"You're talking more sensibly now," said Pierre. "A minute ago I thought I'd have to throw you overboard. Don't you suppose I've got a grievance, having a clumsy idiot like you fall afoul of me on this night of all nights? Man, what's your boat to me, or you, compared to my business? Bah!"
"That's a high an' mighty tone to take, cap'n," said Ben doggedly. "But you can't help admittin' you was in the wrong, runnin' without lights."
"Wrong! Can I help it if my lights fail me at the moment you were crossing my bows?"
"Well, I ask you, could I help it, cap'n? Be fair now."
"It doesn't matter to me what you could help. I'd like to help you ashore with the toe of my boot. Falling foul of me like that! What am I going to do with you, that's what I want to know?"
"You can pay me for my boat and put me ashore, that's what you can do."
"Oh?"
"Aye, and that's fair enough, too. If I had me rights you'd pay for the brandy and tobac——"
Ben stopped suddenly as though he had said too much. Pierre eyed him closely.
"What's that about brandy and tobacco?" he demanded sharply.