"Alright; to a finish, then, but we may as well have a gamble on it."
"'Ear! 'Ear! That's sporting."
"Well, look here. I'll put my purse containing five pounds in the hands of this gentleman. (He pointed to the marine, who blushed.)
"Mister Hiscocks," some one remarked.
There was a general titter, the navvy is unaccustomed to any sort of a handle to his name.
"That's it. If I lose, that five pounds will be yours to buy drinks with. If I win, will you promise to go back and leave those women alone?"
"That's fair, mates. 'E couldn't say no fairer than that," the marine remarked.
"Ay. 'O's going to watch you an' the five pounds, Bill?"
There was a general laugh.
"What do you say?" Carstairs asked.