"Some hundred and fifty miles, maybe a little less."
"Why, then, give me a boat."
"A boat?" said he, pausing in his walk to stare on me.
"Aye, a boat," I nodded. "You cast me adrift once, you'll mind—well—do so again!"
"And what o' my Lady Joan? Ha—will ye tell me you've quarrelled already in true lover-like fashion—is this it?"
"'Tis no matter," quoth I, "only I do not stay on this ship another hour."
"Lord!" said he, "Lord love me, Martin! Here you've scarce found her and now eager to lose her again—heaven save me from love and lovers—"
"Give me a boat."
"A boat?" said he, pinching his chin. "A boat, is it? Why, very well, Martin—a boat! Ha, here me-thinks is the very hand o' Providence, and who am I to gainsay it? You shall have the longboat, Martin, well stored and armed; 'tis a goodly boat that I am loth to part with—but seeing 'tis you, comrade, why very well. Only you must bide till it be dark for reasons obvious—"
"So be it!" I nodded. "And if you could give me a chart and set me a course how to steer for Nombre de Dios, I should be grateful, Adam."