So also thought the "purifier," who, when they reached the Roumanian canal, resumed his interrupted conversation with the steersman.
"You'll allow, neighbor, that we were never nearer all going to destruction together than we were to-day."
"There's some truth in that," answered Fabula.
"But why should we try the experiment whether we could get drowned on St. Michael's day?"
"H'm!" said Johann, and took a short pull at his brandy-flask. "What salary do you get, sir?"
"Twenty kreutzers a day," answered the purifier.
"Why the devil do you come here to venture your life for twenty kreutzers a day? I didn't send for you. I get a gulden and my food; so I have forty kreutzers more reason to venture my life than you. What does it matter to you?"
The health-officer shook his head, and threw back his hood, so as to be more easily heard.
"Listen," he said; "it strikes me the brigantine is chasing you, and the 'St. Barbara' is trying to escape."
"H'm!" coughed the steersman, clearing his throat, and becoming suddenly too hoarse to make a sound.