Part 19 (1/2)

”I'm not going to make any admissions. You probably have?” he said.

”Quite often,” and Jefferson laughed. ”It's a thing that happens to most of us now and then. There are times when the contract looks very big and the man feels very small. In fact, it's sometimes hard to look straight at it and not back down. Still, in the case of this one, it has to be done.”

”I suppose so!” said Austin, and then turned round. ”Well, what is it, Bill?”

”Here's your s.h.i.+rt an' jacket,” said the man. ”If you don't want your skin to come off, you'd better put them on.”

Austin, who thanked him, did so, and then fumbled in the pocket for a cigarette. The one he found was torn and crushed, but he contrived to light it, and flung himself down in the shadow of the rail. Jefferson, who watched him, grinned.

”You're getting your grip,” he said. ”Not long ago you'd have slung that thing into the creek. The man left the sir out, too. Perhaps you noticed it?”

”I did. Still, no doubt, after watching my efforts in the hold, he felt himself warranted. I didn't expect to find things quite the same here as they are at the Catalina.”

Jefferson laughed softly. ”They're not. This is a blame risky co-operative venture, and when I made it so I put down a big stake on human nature. We're all on results, and partners in the thing. There's no respect in this s.h.i.+p. I don't want it. Why should any man touch his hat to me? Oh, I know we use the fist and handspike on American s.h.i.+ps--when it's necessary--and I skipped round the _Sachem_'s deck-house once with the cold steel an inch or two behind me; but that's not the point at all. I want a hundred cents' worth for my dollar from every man, and I'm going to get it, but I'm boss because I can drive a winch and break out cargo better than any of the rest of them. At least, that's one big reason.”

Austin would have grinned at this not very long ago. Jefferson expressed himself crudely, but Austin was disposed to be less critical after that morning's labour, and was commencing to realise that his comrade had, in fact, placed a heavy stake upon the reliability of seafaring humanity. A taint of suspicious distrust or petty treachery would, he felt, be sufficient to ruin the venture, for there was one pistol in the s.h.i.+p to enforce authority, and a dozen men, who might defy it, with wicked knives. It was also evident that the full dollars' worth would be demanded from every one of them. Still, Austin smiled.

”I scarcely think that's the American skipper's usual point of view, though, of course, it's a commendable one,” he said. ”After all, one has to admit that there is, perhaps, some foundation for the equality notion in a democratic country, but from what I know of yours, while you seem willing to act upon it in regard to Scandinavians, Teutons, Poles, and Englishmen, you make Indians and n.i.g.g.e.rs an exception.”

”Exactly! They were made different, and they stop outside. I was crowding her a little this morning to save time, because I mean to remonstrate with one of them this afternoon. This s.h.i.+p's mine; I bought her with good money, and there may be a balance out that's to be settled with blood as well. Am I to sit down while the black sc.u.m take her from me?”

”I really think that the longer one looks at this contract the bigger it gets,” said Austin, reflectively.

Jefferson glanced at the dingy forest, flaming creek, and the _c.u.mbria_'s slanted deck with a little glow in his eyes.

”Well,” he said, ”that's what gets hold of me. To worry a big contract through, is--life--to some kinds of men.”

”Perhaps it is, but it was easier painting little pictures. Still, you see, when you marry Miss Gascoyne you'll have to go round with your s.h.i.+rt, and, perhaps, a frock coat on, and let up on this kind of thing.

In fact, what you are doing isn't at all what the folks she is acquainted with would expect from a man with 20,000 in England.”

Jefferson laughed, though there was a certain grimness in his face.

”Well,” he said, ”there is a good deal to be done everywhere, and different ways of playing the game. A frock coat wouldn't stop a man making a show at one of them, although at first he mightn't find it comfortable. Life's much the same thing everywhere when you mean to take part in it and hustle. Any way, I've talked enough, and Wall-eye's coming along with the comida.”

They ate the meal in silence. Austin was glad to rest, and sitting drowsily content in the shadow, he began to realise the boundless optimism and something of the adaptability of his companion. Jefferson had made an excellent coaling clerk at Las Palmas, though he knew nothing about the business, which demands a good deal of discretion, when he came there. He had also pa.s.sed muster with Mrs. Hatherly and Muriel Gascoyne as what they no doubt called a gentleman, which was a manifestly harder thing, and here in Africa he was a ragged and fever-worn leader of primitive men, but clearly a successful one. It seemed to Austin that if he eventually aspired to become a local influence in any part of sheltered England he would also in all probability show up equally well.

CHAPTER XIV

JEFFERSON'S REMONSTRANCE

They were not long over the meal, and when Austin thrust his plate aside, Jefferson, who had waited at least five minutes for him, rose with a little twinkle, which seemed to express whimsical resignation, in his eyes.

”And now there's something I'd rather leave alone to be done,” he said.

”The launch is ready, and we'll go up and remonstrate with those n.i.g.g.e.rs. It's a little rough upon a man who is fond of a quiet life.”

”One would scarcely have fancied that quietness had any great attraction for you,” said Austin. ”Still, you probably know what pleases you better than I do.”

Jefferson laughed. ”There are folks who seem to like being kicked, but it's a sensation that doesn't appeal to everybody.”