"Look 'ere," said Tom, "if you'll tell us the troof, I'll stand you a drop of rum. I've a nip left. And this is a teetotal ship, this is."
He could not conceive any man refusing such a bribe. And Gawthrop, in spite of everything, could hardly help laughing at Hunt's face. He took the rum partly to have an excuse for telling the story. It was the wisest thing to be friends with every one, and after all, if he was out of the running for a time, so was Hunt.
"Well," said Gawthrop, "I and my cheerful friend over there are very great friends indeed. But I wanted him out of San Francisco for a time, for reasons. And I got Shanghai Smith to arrange it."
"We know him," said the crowd eagerly. "Oh yes, we know him!"
"I stayed in 'is 'ouse."
"So did I."
"Shut up and let him tell us."
And Hunt by now was all alone on the starboard side. Even old Shadwell came across to hear the yarn.
"Another friend of mine suggested it," said Gawthrop, "and fixed it up for me."
That was Gardiner," said Hunt.