“No. Will the colour stand fire?”
“They’re very good coloured wax anyway,” said Captain Tucker, putting them away.
“We was thinking of trying to trade at Tolu,” Cammock said. “Would you care to stand in with us?”
“At Tolu?”
“They may not trade, of course; but——”
“I’ve come here,” Margaret said, “to establish a trade, Captain Tucker. If I’m not allowed to trade with the Spanish towns, I shall trade here, like you, and defend such traders as come to me. All this coast is going to waste. I want to see all you roving traders banded together to make use of it. The Spanish can’t work it. Why should not you join us, with your men, for a beginning?”
“The jackal went a-hunting with the lion, sir. But it wasn’t him got the tender-loin,” said Tucket.
“You mean you’re afraid that my men might impose on yours?”
“Ah come, come, Abel,” said Cammock. “We’re old hands, you and I. It’s all a matter of articles.”
“I must talk it over,” said Abel. “I’ll run over to La Sound’s Key and talk it out with my mates. I won’t say. No, sir. I won’t say. Not one way or the other.”