“It won’t make a difference of more than three or four weeks,” said Mr Oxbelly; “and the expenses have been very great.”
“But—”
“But what, Jack?”
“Agnes.”
“Agnes will be better defended going home by men who have been accustomed to be in action. And, as for her waiting a little longer, it will only make her love you a little more.”
“Sleep single a little longer, Mr Easy, it’s very pleasant,” said Mr Oxbelly.
“That’s not very bad advice of yours,” observed Gascoigne.
“Stop a little, Massa Easy,” said Mesty, “you know dat very good advice.”
“Well, then,” replied Jack, “I will, as I am quite in the minority. We will work up the whole coast—up to Toulon. After all, there’s something very pleasant in commanding your own ship, and I’m not in a hurry to resign it—so that point’s decided.”
The Rebiera was steered in to the land, and at sunset they were not four miles from the lofty blue mountains which overhang the town of Malaga. There were many vessels lying at the bottom of the bay, close in with the town; the wind now fell light, and the Rebiera, as she could not fetch the town, tacked as if she were a merchant vessel standing in, and showed American colours, a hint which they took from perceiving three or four large vessels lying in the outer roads, with the colours of that nation hoisted at the peak.