"Yes, or three, for the matter of that; one more or less don't matter to me; but it may to you."
"Indeed, it does, sir. You are right enough there. But where do you want to go to sir? Up or down?"
"To Greenwich."
Todd thought if he mentioned Gravesend, he might frighten the man at once.
"Greenwich? Whew!" The waterman perpetrated a long whistle; and then, shaking his head, he said—"I'm very much afraid, sir, that it isn't a question of guineas that will settle that; but I will speak to my mate. Halloa Jack!—Jack! I say, old boy, where are you?"
"Here you are," said an old weather-beaten man coming up the steps. "I've only been making the little craft fast. What is the row now, Harry—eh?"
"No row, old mate; but this here gentleman offers a matter of three guineas for a cruise to Greenwich."
"Ay, and why not, Harry?"
"Why not? Don't you hear how it's blowing?"
"Yes, I do, Harry; but it won't blow long. I've seen more gales than you have, lad, and I tell you that this one is all but over. The rain, in another quarter of an hour, will beat it all down. It's fast going now. It will be a wet night, and a dark night; but it won't blow, nor it won't be cold."