"The talk I had with your boy satisfied me I wasn't far from right. Now, the brandy's worth more than the boat. I'm always up to a trade, you know; and I didn't know but I might make something. I asked your boy if he would give up the cargo and keep the boat, in case I could find the owner."
"Sho! Did you know the owner, cap'n?"
"Of course I didn't. I haven't the least idea who he is. Your boy wouldn't give up the cargo and keep the boat."
"That boy's a fool, and allus was."
"I thought, if I could get hold of the cargo, I could make something out of it. Perhaps you and I can now;" and the captain looked sharply into the toper's face.
"I'm ready," replied Ezekiel, who was now considerably "boozed."
"Bobtail must have landed that cargo somewhere, and concealed it; perhaps on some island; may be in your house. I say, Zeke, can you keep a quiet tongue in your head?"
"I cal'late I can."
Captain Chinks enlarged on this point, and the toper promised to be as silent as the grave.
"Now, I reckon you can find this brandy. I suppose it was brandy, but I don't know. If it was, it comes in cases."