“Well, shall we take him?” said Hank. “It’s a risk, but I reckon we’ve got to take risks.”
“Take him,” said George.
Hank went out and returned with the other. Candon had taken off his coat and his shirt sleeves were rolled up and his hands showed the engine-room business he had been put on.
“Come right in,” said Hank. “We’ve concluded to take you along, but there’s conditions.”
“Spit them out,” said Candon.
“Well, first of all I haven’t five thousand dollars to be taking down the coast with me, but I’ll put a thousand in your fist when the job’s done and mail you the other four to any address you like.”
“Oh, I’ll trust you for that,” said Candon. “What else?”
“Second, if we find the Dutchman’s property, it will have to go back to the owners.”
“That’s just what I’d like best,” said Candon. “I tell you straight it would have been a condition with me, only I took it for granted seeing you’re out, so to speak, in the name of the law. I’m no pirate. I’m not saying I was always of the same way of thinking, but I reckon those ballyhooleys I’ve just left have given me a shake.”
“Well then,” said Hank, “there’s only one more condition. You’ll help to work the ship for your bunk and board without pay.”