"But I have made up my mind to sail with you, skipper, for I reckon I shall like this trip." "And I reckon you will not," said the captain grimly. "You're very sharp, sir, but you've cut yourself this time, and you're going to be rowed ashore as soon as it's light." "Hah, that's better, skipper. Your lads couldn't do it in the dark, and they'd never find the brig again." "That's right," said the captain. "I'm not going to run any risks, for the sake of my men; but ashore you go as soon as it's light." "And what about for the sake of me? I have heard that some of the natives about here are the old Caribs." "Yes, sir, regular old-fashioned savages; and you won't find any hotels, nor captains to worry with questions." "I've heard too that they're cannibals, skipper. S'pose they eat me?" "So much the better for them and the worse for you. But that's your look-out, not mine." "Well, you are a hard nut, skipper," said the American, leaning back and smoking away. "I am, sir: too hard for you to crack. You're not the first loafing, cheating stowaway I've had to deal with." "Cheating, eh?" said the American, turning his face to Sir Humphrey and Brace in turn. "Hark at him! I don't want to cheat. I'll pay my share of all expenses." "No, you won't, sir, for I won't have your money. This brig's let to these two gentlemen for as long as they like. You've played me a dirty trick after being told that I was engaged, and you've got to go ashore. I see through your tricks now. You inveigled my second mate ashore to dinner with you." "Asked him, and treated him like a gentleman," said the American. "You stole his straw hat." "Nay, nay, only borrowed it, skipper." "Stole his hat, sir." "Say took, and I won't argue, skipper: I was obliged to." "Left him asleep, and stole aboard in the ship's boat." "Yes, that's right," said the American. "I thought you were going to say I stole the boat. That's right. The men wouldn't have rowed me aboard if it hadn't been for the mate's hat." "And for aught you cared I might have sailed and left that poor fellow behind--eh, Lynton?" "That seems about the size of it," said the second mate. "Gammon!" cried the American good-humouredly. "You're too good a seaman, Captain Banes, to go off and leave one of your officers ashore." "That's oil," said the captain sharply; "but I'm not going to be greased, sir. You're going ashore: if only for playing me and my second officer such a dirty trick." "Say smart, not dirty, skipper." "Dirty, sir, dirty." "Only business, skipper. I'd made up my mind to come, and it seemed to me the only way." "Ah, you were very clever; but it won't do sir. You're going ashore." "But what about that cool drink, skipper?" "And as soon as it's light," said the captain, ignoring the request. "Mr Dellow." "Ay, ay, sir." "Set the course a few miles nearer shore. No fear of a squall off here."