Part 37 (1/2)

The girl went over it down below into the main cabin with two little sleeping cabins off it. She peeped into the tiny bath-room, examined the pantry well-stored with crockeryware, there was everything even to the bunk bedding, sheets and towels, she went to the fo'c'sle; compared with the fo'c'sle of the _Albatross_ it was a little palace.

Then she turned to Raft.

”This is your new home,” said she, ”there is room for your parrot here.”

Then turning to Captain Bontemps. ”Well, that is settled and now I only want a crew and a captain--fishermen. I will have no yachtsmen on my boat. I have had to do with yachtsmen, Captain Bontemps.”

”Oh, my faith,” said the old fellow, ”you will easily find a crew.”

”Yes, but I won't easily find a captain. I want you.”

The Captain laughed.

”And how about _La Belle Arlesienne_?” asked he.

”You must leave her behind you to be sold. In my service money is no object. Now as to this boat, who is the agent from whom I can buy her?”

”Latour and Company,” replied the old fellow, for the first time in his life in the powerful grip of wealth and not knowing exactly whether the great golden hand was holding him heels or head up.

”How far is Latour's from here?”

”Not far.”