The other runners gathered round their prey. Grant's man went inside and sat down. He produced a bottle.
'Will you have a nip?'
'Just had a tot,' said Jacobs. 'The old man sarved it out when we came in sight of the city.'
'Well, who's for the shore, boys?' put in Tom Gilson. 'You'll be ready for a good time now, and Portland is a daisy of a place, I tell you. The best of grub and good liquor, and the prettiest gals running around here. Who's with me for Healy's? He gets up the best table in the city, and I don't care who sets up the next best.'
The second mate came for'ard.
'The captain is ready with your money, men.'
'Is he goin' to pay you off?' asked the runners.
'Lord bless you, no,' said Hillyer, who was Jacobs's chum. 'He's only ladling it out in easy goes just to let us have some fun here. Five dollars a week; think of that!'
It was certainly unusual, and the runners stared.
'Five dollars,' sneered Gilson. 'Why, every man of you that comes ashore with me shall have ten right off.'