The captain looked disturbed; but he was not to be beaten so easily.
"You don't get back on board your boat until you've taken us out!" he threatened.
"I can take you out to-night, but if you miss your chance and have to wait we can afford it best. Our expenses aren't heavy, but you'll have to account to your owners for the delay that won't cost us much. Besides, you'd be forced to keep steam up in case she dragged; it's bad holding ground."
There was silence for a few moments, and then the captain made a sign of surly acquiescence.
"Very well; we won't argue about the bonus. Give me the check."
"I think we'll wait until the cases are transhipped," Walthew said with a smile.
"Give them steam for the winch, Mr. James," the captain ordered; and the engineer slouched away.
The winch began to rattle and an hour or two later Grahame went up to the bridge while the anchor was broken out. When the men were stowing it the engines throbbed and the Miranda turned her head toward open water. In another half hour the propeller stopped and the captain turned to his guests with a grin as the Enchantress's gig came alongside.
"I expect the dagoes you're shipping those rifles for will find you hard to beat," he said.