I knew myself pale. I was startled--I was thunderstruck; down to this instant the crew had given me no hint to suspect their willingness to work the brig to the Channel. I fetched some labored breaths, recollected myself with a prodigious effort of resolution, and after looking first at one face and then at another, during which time I was eyed with great eagerness, with here and there the hint of a threat, but generally with countenances not wanting in respect, I exclaimed, “Who will tell me what it is you want?” “Shall I speak, Mr. Bol?” said Teach. “Shpeak,” cried Bol in his voice of thunder. “The matter’s simple as countin’ your toes,” said Teach, addressing me. “There’s a cargo of silver down in the lazarette, aint there? The captain’s dead--him it rightly belonged to as the discoverer of it. He’s dead, and us men are agreed that his share--a lump we allow--should be divided among all hands, you being one of us.” “Dot’s so,” said Bol. “We don’t want no blooming fuss,” continued Teach; “the job’s to be handled so that it shall be agreeable to all concerned. Here’s the brig, and the money’s below.” “Dot vhas so,” said Galen. “Dis vhas a shob over vhich ve all shakes hands.” “If we carried the money home,” continued Teach, “what’s going to happen? Mr. Tulp’ll claim the captain’s share as well as his own. And what’s to be his own? And what’s to be your’n, Mr. Fielding? And what’s to be our’n? Tulp ’ud suck egg and smash the shell agin our faces. Our rights goes hell’s own length beyond the measly hundreds that’s to be our fo’ksle allowance of dollars.” “No need to curse and swear, Thomas,” exclaimed Friend. “Mr. Fielding’s a-taking of it all in. Give him time. Before a man lets go he sings out. We haven’t sung out. I’m for kindly feelings in this here traverse.” “The shares you are promised along with your wages,” said I, “should satisfy you. I will see that every man is paid.” “Vhat vhas your share, sir?” said Wirtz at the wheel. “Aint it worth naming?” said Meehan after a short silence. Call laughed. “‘Taint as if you was here through Mr. Tulp’s ordering,” said Teach. “You have chosen me captain,” said I. “The brig saved your life,” exclaimed Street; “you owes us a good turn.” “Captain you are and captain we wishes you to remain,” said Teach. “Dere vhas one ting dot vhas proper you should recollect, Mr. Fielding,” said Bol. “How about der wars dot vhas on? If we carries der treasure oop der Atlantic ve stands to lose her. Down here dere vhas peace und comfort.” “Are not our heels a match for anything that’s afloat?” said I. “Yaw,” answered Bol, “and vhilst ve roon a shoe comes off; den vhere vhas ve? Look at our gompany. Look at our goons.” “What’s your scheme?” I exclaimed. “Is it for me to speak?” said Teach. “Shpeak, Thomas,” cried Bol.