Captain Dove jumped out of his bunk. He was clearly impressed, in spite of himself, by the other's indomitable assurance.
"Come back, you fool!" he called angrily. "Come back. I want to know—
"I'll go ashore with you," he shouted, raising his voice, since Slyne was already on his way to the gangway. But Slyne did not seem to hear.
"I'll take your offer—for Sallie," cried Captain Dove, in a slightly lower tone.
Slyne hesitated in his stride, stopped, and turned back into the alleyway which led to the saloon.
"What was that you said?" he demanded of Captain Dove.
"Come on inside," requested Captain Dove, more curtly.
"I don't believe I will," Slyne declared, inwardly elated over the winning of that somewhat risky move. "You don't deserve another chance. And, if I do give you another, you needn't suppose—"
"Come on inside," begged Captain Dove, shivering, in no case to listen to any lecture. "Come on, and we'll talk sense. Don't waste any more good time."
Slyne followed him in again, congratulating himself on his firmness. He felt that he had gained the whip-hand of the old man, and he meant to keep it. He curtly refused again Captain Dove's more hospitable offer of some refreshment, and, while his aggrieved host was clumsily getting into some warmer clothing, talked to him from the saloon through the open doorway of his cramped sleeping-quarters. It was easier to arrange matters so than under Captain Dove's direct observation.