"You've got to do a job for me, Billy."
"And what?"
"I'm goin' to have this hyer admiral shipped before the stick on the toughest ship that's about ready to go to sea," replied Smith.
Billy flinched.
"Sir, it's the penitentiary!"
"I don't care if it's lynchin'," said Smith. "Help—or get. I'm bossin' this job. Which is it?"
And Billy, seeing that he was to play second fiddle, concluded to help.
"And," he said to himself, "if we get nailed I'll split. Calls himself a 'considerate boss.' Well, Shanghai Smith has a gall!"
"Which do you reckon is the worst ship inside the Gate now?" asked Smith, after he had savoured his cunning revenge for a few minutes.
"The Harvester ain't due for a month, sir."