'Yes, sir,' said Jacobs, coming out in a hurry.
The skipper pointed to the runners.
'These gentlemen have come down to see you,' said the captain. 'They are runners all of them, and want you to leave this ship in order to put money into their pockets and the pockets of Mr. Healy. They have another ship for you in about a week, probably a nice American ship. Don't forget what I said, and when you are ready come aft for some money. Good day, gentlemen. My compliments to Mr. Healy.'
'Damme, the old man is luny,' said Williams. 'If I had my way I'd have her boomed off into the stream and I'd kick the runners overboard.'
But with such methods Tom and his friends were familiar. The new tactics of the Oriana's skipper took them all aback. They stood close together and stared at each other.
'Say, what sort of a game is he playin'?' they asked each other.
'The derned ratty old hoosier,' said Tom; 'he's tryin' to go to windward of us at the start. This is quite a new thing, this is. The old galoot has been goin' in for bein' popular with his crowd. But if I know sailors, it won't work.'
He started for the fo'c'sle and put his head in.
'What cheer boys, and how goes it? What kind of a passage did you have?'
'Long, but easy,' said Jacobs coolly, as he pulled on a guernsey over his head. 'No work to speak of and fine weather.'