Goddard was crushed, and parted company with the nugget as a whipped schoolboy might have done.
"If you do not now apologise to this young gentleman," said Breezy, "for the injury you would have done him, I will lodge you in our cells, and hand you over to the police the moment we return to England."
Goddard tried to smile, but in vain.
"You see, young sir, you was eaten by cannybiles."
"Never one put a tooth in me," cried Kep.
"And was in consequence dead."
"I was never dead in all my life."
"And now," moaned Goddard, "I'm done for. My owners will maroon me."
He talked so sadly, that Captain Breezy felt a bit sorry for him.
"We'll take care they don't maroon you, Mr. Goddard. If you will lie to for a couple of days between the Isle of Snakes yonder and Keppel's Isle here, you may or you may not hear of something to your advantage. Please yourself, Master-mariner. Good day."