Then Kisseck altered his manner and became suave.
"What's to be done?" said Christian, irritated at some humiliating compliments.
"I've somethin' terrible fine up here," said Kisseck, tapping his forehead mysteriously. Christian smiled rather doubtfully.
"It'll get you out of this shoal water, anyhow," said the skipper.
"What is it?" asked Christian.
"The tack we've been on lately isn't worth workin'. It isn't what it was in the good ould days, when the Frenchmen and the Dutchmen came along with the Injin and Chinee goods, and we just run alongside in wherries and whipped them up. Too many hands at the trade now."
"So, smuggling, like everything else, has gone to the dogs," said Christian, with another grim smile.
"But I've a big consarn on now," whispered Kisseck.
"What?"
"Och, a shockin' powerful skame! Listen!"