HORNE--[_Craftily._] Ye got your skipper’s papers all reg’lar? DREW--Yes, that part of it’s all right and square. Listen here. Miss Sue’s decided her father isn’t in a fit state to Captain this trip. It’d mean danger for him and the schooner--and for you. HORNE--That’s no lie. CATES--[_To_ HORNE _protestingly_.] But if we git ketched the Old Man’ll take it out o’ our hides, not his’n. HORNE--[_Savagely._] Shut up, ye fool! [_To_ DREW, _craftily_.] Cates is right, jest the same. Ye are as good as his married son and she’s his daughter. He’d not blame you if things went wrong. He’d take it out on us. DREW--[_Impatiently._] I’ll shoulder all that risk, man! SUE--[_Earnestly._] No harm will come to any of you, I promise you. This is all my plan, and I’ll tell my father I’m alone to blame. HORNE--[_In the tone of one clinching a bargain._] Then we’ll chance it. [_Warningly._] But it’s got to be done smart, sir. Ye’d best look lively. DREW--I’ve got to get my dunnage. I’ll be right back and we’ll tumble aboard. [_He goes to the door._] Hold him, Sue, on some excuse if he’s coming. Only a second now and it’ll all be safe. [_He goes into the house. She follows him in._] CATES--[_With stupid anger._] This is a hell o’ a mess we’re gettin’ in, if ye axe me. HORNE--And I tell ye it’s a great stroke o’ luck. It couldn’t o’ come out better. CATES--He’ll be aboard to spy on us. HORNE--Let him! What does he know? He thinks we’re goin’ tradin’, and there’s no one to tell him diff’rent but me. CATES--He’ll know better afore long. He’ll s’pect-- HORNE--’Bout the gold? He ain’t that kind. He’s a soft young swab o’ a lady steamer’s mate. Leave me to fool him. And when the time comes to git rid o’ him, I’ll find a means some way or other. But can’t ye see, ye fool, it’s luck to have him with us till we git clear o’ civilized ports? He kin navigate and he’s got skipper’s papers that’ll come in handy if there’s any trouble. And if anythin’ goes wrong at the start and we’re brung back, him and the girl’ll take the blame. CATES--[_Stupidly._] S’long as he don’t git no share o’ the gold---- HORNE--[_Contemptuously._] Share, ye dumbhead! I’d see him in hell first--and send him there myself. [DREW _comes out of the house carrying his bag which he hands to_ CATES. SUE _follows him_.] DREW--Look lively now! Let’s hustle aboard and get her under way. HORNE--Aye--aye, sir. [_He and_ CATES _clamber hurriedly down the ladder_.] SUE--[_Throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him._] Good-bye, Danny. It’s so fine of you to do this for us! I’ll never forget---- DREW--[_Tenderly._] Ssssh! It’s nothing, Sue. SUE--[_Tearfully._] Oh, Danny, I hope I’m doing right! I’ll miss you so dreadfully! But you’ll come back just as soon as you can-- DREW--Of course! SUE--Danny! Danny! I love you so! DREW--And I guess you know I love you, don’t you? [_Kisses her._] And we’ll be married when I come back this time _sure_? SUE--Yes--yes--Danny--sure!