“Then that will be forever!” exclaimed Hoppy. “There’s no one to ransom us, Captain Raggett. Of course, you can confiscate our boat and cargo, and hold us prisoners, but if you fix the price too high for our means, then that fixes us so far as we are concerned.”
“I must make an example of your capture,” replied Raggett, “because you two are the most daring and successful of all the runners. But that doesn’t mean that my terms can’t be met. I confess I admire your pluck and resourcefulness.”
“Of course, Captain Raggett, we are entirely at your mercy,” said Captain Knowles, “but we have no reason to fear harsh treatment so long as we are in your hands. In the event of our not being able to meet your terms, we stand a chance of being transferred from your ship. Some Cape Cod men are just now in Dartmoor prison.”
“You will not be maltreated on the ‘Spencer,’ that I can promise. In the event of transference to another ship, you must take your chances with the rest.”
“If it would not be asking too much, Captain Raggett, we should like to know what your terms are?”
Raggett paused for some minutes before replying. His usual good temper was coming back. He saw that the men with whom he was dealing were above the ordinary standard of the seamen of the period, both in education and intelligence, and while he knew just what he wanted of them, he was unwilling to alienate their good opinion of him by any premature announcement of his plans.
“My friends,” said he, “I think we had better postpone the discussion of that point until this evening. You must have a look over my ship. I am sure she will please old skippers like you. Mr. Fotheringay, who has given me some knowledge of your standing in your community, will take you in charge. Meantime, permit me to offer you some of this special brand.”
The Cape Codders raised their glasses. “Here’s to your good health, Captain Raggett,” said Hoppy. “Let’s hope that this war will soon be over and that our countries will never have another!”
“I heartily join you in that, my friends,” responded the British commander. “At the same time, I can imagine the horror of some gentlemen in London if they ever hear that ‘Old Dick Raggett’ was clinking glasses with two of the most venturesome blockade runners on the Massachusetts coast!”
With a laugh at the thought, he sent them on deck where Fotheringay took charge of them.