"Speak, brother, we will hear you," Montbarts answered him.
"I offer myself," Belle Tête said frankly, "as governor, not through ambition, for that would be absurd, but because I believe that I am at this moment the best man for the place; you all know me, and hence I will not put forward my qualifications. Certain reasons urge me to try, if possible, to withdraw my promise, and not follow the expedition; to which, however, I feel convinced that I shall render great services, if you choose me as governor."
"You have heard, brethren," Montbarts said, "consult together, but fill your glasses first, you have ten minutes to reflect; at the end of that time all the glasses that have not been emptied will be considered as adverse votes."
"Ah, traitor," Michael the Basque said, leaning over to Belle Tête's ear, by whose side he was seated, "I know why you want to stop at Port Margot."
"You? Stuff," he answered with embarrassment.
"Zounds, it is not difficult to guess, you are caught, mate."
"Well, it is true, and you are right, that little devil of a woman I bought at St. Kitts has turned my head; she turns me round her little finger."
"Ah! love!" Michael said ironically.
"The deuce take love, and the woman too; a girl no bigger than that, whom I could smash with one blow."
"She is very pretty, you showed good taste; her name is Louise, is it not?"