“I’ll keep still if you do; but if I hear you lisp a word about a fellow’s trying to steal a ride to Chicago I’ll have you locked up as sure as you’re alive. Now,” he added, as Bob placed the purse in his hands, “how much have you spent out of it?”
“Just ten cents.”
“Well, hand it out here. I must have fifteen dollars. Not a red less will satisfy me.”
“I have nothing smaller than a dollar.”
“Then give me that. I’ll take it for interest.”
Bob did not dare refuse. He gave the money to the wheelsman, who said, as he put it away in the purse:
“Now go into your room, and don’t show your face on deck again until this vessel is well under way. Keep a still tongue in your head and I’ll do the same.”
Bob, glad enough to get out of the man’s sight, at once started for the cabin. Flint watched him out of sight and then rolled off toward the wheel-house, winking and nodding his head as if he were highly gratified at what he had done.