“It does, mate, to be sure,” and the master of the Sussex Queen appeared to have made one of the discoveries of his life.
Jeffray showed impatience, and glanced at the sky in turn.
“Maybe the gentleman’s in a partic’lar hurry,” and the worthy at the window looked profound as he saw Bess in the coach.
Captain George accepted the hint.
“To be sure; my cargo ain’t full, sir. I was just about thinking of letting my boat lie another week in port.”
Jeffray understood the methods of these hard-mouthed men of the sea. They were apt at a bargain, and ready to invent difficulties in order to draw more gold. He fell back upon the desired argument, and consented to be plundered in the interests of romance.
“I can pay you well, captain,” he said.
“To be sure,” came the inevitable response.
“You can fix your own passage-money, within reason.”
“Well, captain, I reckon that’s a gentleman’s offer,” and the seaman by the window took snuff, and sneezed as though it were a joy to him.