At a loss completely, Kirkwood found no words. He dropped his head, considering.
"Not at the price," the sullen voice iterated; and he looked up to find the cunning gaze upon him.
"How much, then?"
"Five poun' I'll have—no less, for riskin' my life this day."
"Impossible. I haven't got it."
In silence the man unshipped the tiller and moved toward the cleats.
"Hold on a minute."
Kirkwood unbuttoned his coat and, freeing the chain from his waistcoat buttonholes, removed his watch.... As well abandon them altogether; he had designed to leave them as security for the two pounds, and had delayed stating the terms only for fear lest they be refused. Now, too late as ever, he recognized his error. But surely, he thought, it should be apparent even to that low intelligence that the timepiece alone was worth more than the boat itself.
"Will you take these?" he offered. "Take and keep them—only set me aboard that ship!"
Deliberately the fisherman weighed the watch and chain in his broad, hard palm, eyes narrowing to mere slits in his bronzed mask.