“Next tide, if I wanted to; but I don’t. My mate’s been below, and he says there are half a dozen plates started. I’m sorry, Mr. Shelf, but this is going to be a job for the salvage people. I hope, sir, you’ll take into consideration that it’s through no fault of mine the old boat’s got herself piled up. I know you don’t give berths to any officer who’s once been unlucky, even though he has kept his ticket clean; but, seeing that I’m a shareholder——” “Man!” broke in Shelf, passionately, “you must get her off with the next tide, and try and push on across the Atlantic. I can’t afford to waste the time. Good heavens, Captain Colson, you have pumps! What are pumps for if they can’t counterbalance a bit of a leak? Besides, the weather’s fine enough.” The captain stared. “You don’t seem to understand, sir,” he said. “This isn’t a new ship, and she’s stove in three compartments, at least. She’d go down like a broken salmon-can if she put into deep water. Of course, we should get off right enough in the boats; but, seeing that you were on board, I fancy the insurance people’d think there was something hanky-panky about it and refuse to pay. And, any way, if we tried anything half so mad I should lose my ticket for good.” “Man,” said Shelf, putting ten shaking fingers on the captain’s arm, “we must go on at any risk, if it’s only to Spain—if it’s only to France.” The captain looked at him queerly. “What’s this mean?” he asked. “I dare not go back.” “And why not, please?” “I’ve been unfortunate in business, captain, and it is absolutely essential that I should remain abroad a month or so till matters are settled up again.” “Ho!” said Captain Colson, “I’m beginning to see. And which business, please, have you been unfortunate in?” “What does it matter? Several. Captain, you are wasting time.” “There is no immediate hurry, sir,” said the captain, stolidly. “May I ask if the ‘Brothers S. S. Association’ is down on its luck amongst the other concerns?” “I’m—er—I’m afraid it isn’t very prosperous,” said Shelf. “Bust?” inquired the captain. “Confound you, yes!” roared Shelf. “What do you mean by questioning me like this?” “I’ve got £300 in that blessed company.” “Ah!” said Shelf, changing his tone. “Well, that is unfortunate. But,” he continued, with a significant nod of the head, “I’ve managed to save a little something for myself out of the general wreck, and if you will see me safe out of the country, captain, I’ll underwrite those few shares of yours for five hundred per cent.” “No,” said Captain Colson, “I’m damned if I do! That three hundred’s about all my pile; but I got it clean, and I’m not going to keep it dirty.” “Do you mean,” said Shelf, with growing terror, “you’re not going to help me out of the country?” “That’s about the size of it.”