“Can’t do it. I’m under contract,” replied Jack, steadily.
“Well, I’ll bust your contract, and you too, if you don’t hand me that hawser mighty quick,” Burke snapped back. His practised hand was at the wheel, and the tug was now gliding through the water within a few feet of the Sea-Lark’s side. Jack, however, did not give way an inch. He was by no means sure that Burke would not bump into him and secure the tow by main force. But the tug’s skipper knew just a little too much of sea law to carry his tactics as far as that. At this stage Captain Jordan put in a word.
“Let the lad alone,” he shouted. “He came first, and I had to give him the job.”
“And what’s your owner going to say to you?” Burke yelled back to the captain of the schooner.
“He can say what he likes,” returned Captain Jordan. “I’ve got a word or two to put into his ear for sending me to sea with rotten spars, and I’ve a right to arrange for a tow whenever I think it prudent. Now beat it, or you’ll be having a smash-up yet, and then there’ll be real money to pay out.”
With no alternative, Burke sidled away from the two vessels, muttering savagely, but realizing that he could put in no just claim to complete the tow. By that time Gull Island had been reached, and Jack could make out figures on the wharves ahead.
“Jordan is a brick for standing up for you like that,” Rod said.
“I thought he would,” replied Jack. “But, you know, a bargain is a bargain, and we had the law on our side, after all.”
“Our friend Burke looked as though he would like to bite your head off.”
“He wasn’t very polite about it, was he? But you just wait a few minutes till we draw up alongside Barker’s wharf. That’s when the fun will begin.”