“It will probably be a good thing for that girl to be married and settled down. She seems to have picked out Bradish. Mayo, you're one of my kind, and I want to help you. I'll take a chance on my right to perform the ceremony. What say if we get Bradish back in here and swap a marriage for what he can tell us about the Montana business?”
“Captain Downs, a fellow who will put up a job of this kind on a girl, no matter if she has encouraged him, is a cheap pup,” declared Mayo, promptly and firmly. “I don't want to buy back my papers in any such fashion.”
“Then you don't approve of my marrying them?”
“I haven't any right to tell you what you shall do, sir. I'm talking merely for myself.”
Captain Downs pondered. “If he's her father's right-hand man, he's probably just as good as most of the land pirates who have been courting her. If she goes home married, even if it is only marriage on the high seas, contract between willing persons with witnesses and the master of the vessel officiating, as I believe it's allowed, she'll have her good name protected, and that means a lot. I don't know as I have any right to stand out and block their way, seeing how far it has gone. What do you think, Mayo?”
“I don't believe I want to make any suggestions, sir.”
At that moment the door aft opened. Mayo was near the door of the mate's stateroom in the shadows, and he dodged back into his retreat. He heard Bradish's voice.
“Captain Downs, this young lady has something to say to you and I hope you'll listen!”
Then the girl's voice! It was impetuous outburst. She hurried her words as if she feared to wait for second and saner reflection.
“Captain Downs, I cannot wait any longer. You must act. I beg of you. I have made up my mind. I am ready!”