The landlord, shrugging his shoulders, returned to his place near the door; he would let the sailor take his own part, if he really wanted to be stupid.
Now, a large fellow, a Provencal, approached and placed himself on a seat right before the Englishman, and was at once ready to take hold of the money.
"Old fellow," said he, grumbling, "is that lot of money really your own property?"
"Yes, all honestly earned money."
"H'm—that I care for but very little. Do you know, I am just at present short of cash, and I suppose you will not hesitate to lend a friend a helping hand, eh? Well, then, I'll take just what I am in want of."
The hand of the Provencal selected a few gold pieces, but almost at the same time he shouted aloud and staggered back.
The sailor, with a vise-like grip, grasped the wrist of the intruder and he soon dropped the gold pieces.
The Provencal gnashed his teeth in rage, and, rubbing his bruised wrist, muttered:
"If you do not wish your sinful money to be touched, then you should not expose it so boastingly! You will not even assist me a little? It stands to reason that later on I will pay you everything back: well, are you satisfied?"