Part 9 (1/2)
The anchor splashed fro chain, the throb of the screly turning astern, and a screaht up, the noise died away, and the silence was emphasized by the clamor of the surf on the opposite shore of the key
The captain looked about with a frown, for the desolation of the spot and the nearness of the reefs had their effect on hi over at once, and then we'll have a drink,”
he said
Macallister answered Grahame's shout, for the _Enchantress_ had anchored close astern, and the boat was hanging from her davits when he followed the captain into his roouid splash upon the beach, for the bight was sheltered by the reefs The shted by an oil lamp and was very hot A pilot coat, da to and fro across the bulkhead, and a pair of knee-boots stood in a corner Two or three bad photographic portraits were tacked against the teakwood paneling, but except for these, all that the roo a cupboard, the captain took a bottle and sohed as he tasted the fiery spirit
”That's powerful stuff, but the flavor's good,” he said with an attereasy man who the captain inforineer, came in He sat doith his feet on the locker, and helped himself liberally to the spirits In thetable
”You have the bill of lading; endorse it that you've got delivery, and I'll give you a receipt for the freight”
Grahalanced at Waltheho sat nearest the door, and the lad looked out
”The gig's alongside, ready for the cases,” he said
”We'll heave them up as soon as we've finished this business,” the captain replied
Grahame wrote a check and put it on the table with some American paper currency
”Your owners have satisfied theht I'd better keep the other aht,” the captain returned; ”but you're a hundred dollars short”
”I guess you're ht, and a bonus to yourself, as we promised because it was an aard job What else do you want?”
”A bonus for the engineer,” the greasy rin
”Precisely,” said the captain
”Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed,” Grahame said, and Walthew picked up the check, which still lay on the table
There was silence for a few moments while the _Miranda's_ officers looked hard at their visitors Grahaleam of amusement in Walthew's eyes
”Now, you listen to me,” said the captain ”Mr Jaet it You don't suppose he'd take a hand in a risky job like this entirely for the benefit of the owners?”
”Mr James,” said Walthew, ”runs no risk that I can see However, if you think he has a right to so, you can divide with hiiven me is mine But there's another point you've overlooked The crew expect a few dollars, and it ht be wise to satisfy them”
Grahame smiled
”They certainly struck o-shi+ppers nowadays Then it's difficult to iine that you told them what's in the cases In fact, the way they obeyed yourbetween men and officers on board this packet If there was any trouble, I don't know that they'd take your side”
The captain frowned; and Jaain and then struck the table
”Think so of yourselves, I reckon, but we've come out on top with sentleood advice,” the captain addedthe check into his pocket
”You haven't got your freight payment yet”