“Yes, all the way home, as hard as ever we could go.”
“Ay, you would, with a hole in her like that. Well, I arn’t got no time to stand a-talking to you two here; but I just tells you both this: that there boat, as soon as she’s mended and fresh pitched, ’ll be a-wearing a great big padlock at her stem and another at her starn.—I shall be at home all evening waitin’ fer that five shilling.”
He gave them both a peculiar wink, stood for a few moments shading his eyes and looking out to sea, and then, giving his head a solemn shake, he went off without another word.
“Feel better, Mike?” said Vince, as soon as the old man was out of hearing.
“Better? Ever so much. I’m glad we’ve got it over. I say, Cinder, nothing like tipping off your dose of physic at once.”
“But I had to take it,” cried Vince. “You wouldn’t do your share.”
That evening after tea they kept their word. Vince handed Mike his two-and-fourpence-halfpenny, and Mike gave him the five shillings which he was to pay.
They found the old man standing outside his cottage, with his old spy-glass under his arm, waiting for them, and apparently he had been filling up the time by watching three or four vessels out in the offing.
“Let’s have a look, Joe,” said Vince, as soon as the business was over and the money lodged in a pocket, access to which was obtained by the old man throwing himself to the left nearly off his balance, and crooking his arm high up till he could get his fingers into the opening.
The telescope was handed rather reluctantly, and Vince focussed it to suit his sight as he brought it to bear on one of the vessels.