And he did: at full length, with every wounding epithet and absurd detail repeated and emphasised; he had his own vanity and Huish's upon the grill, and roasted them; and as he spoke, he inflicted and endured agonies of humiliation. It was a plain man's masterpiece of the sardonic. 'What do you think of it?' said he, when he had done, and looked down at Huish, flushed and serious, and yet jeering. 'I'll tell you wot it is,' was the reply, 'you and me cut a pretty dicky figure.' 'That's so,' said Davis, 'a pretty measly figure, by God! And, by God, I want to see that man at my knees.' 'Ah!' said Huish. ''Ow to get him there?' 'That's it!' cried Davis. 'How to get hold of him! They're four to two; though there's only one man among them to count, and that's Attwater. Get a bead on Attwater, and the others would cut and run and sing out like frightened poultry--and old man Herrick would come round with his hat for a share of the pearls. No, SIR! it's how to get hold of Attwater! And we daren't even go ashore; he would shoot us in the boat like dogs.' 'Are you particular about having him dead or alive?' asked Huish. 'I want to see him dead,' said the captain. 'Ah, well!' said Huish, 'then I believe I'll do a bit of breakfast.' And he turned into the house. The captain doggedly followed him. 'What's this?' he asked. 'What's your idea, anyway?' 'Oh, you let me alone, will you?' said Huish, opening a bottle of champagne. 'You'll 'ear my idea soon enough. Wyte till I pour some chain on my 'ot coppers.' He drank a glass off, and affected to listen. ''Ark!' said he, ''ear it fizz. Like 'am fryin', I declyre. 'Ave a glass, do, and look sociable.' 'No!' said the captain, with emphasis; 'no, I will not! there's business.' 'You p'ys your money and you tykes your choice, my little man,' returned Huish. 'Seems rather a shyme to me to spoil your breakfast for wot's really ancient 'istory.' He finished three parts of a bottle of champagne, and nibbled a corner of biscuit, with extreme deliberation; the captain sitting opposite and champing the bit like an impatient horse. Then Huish leaned his arms on the table and looked Davis in the face. 'W'en you're ready!' said he. 'Well, now, what's your idea?' said Davis, with a sigh. 'Fair play!' said Huish. 'What's yours?' 'The trouble is that I've got none,' replied Davis; and wandered for some time in aimless discussion of the difficulties in their path, and useless explanations of his own fiasco. 'About done?' said Huish. 'I'll dry up right here,' replied Davis. 'Well, then,' said Huish, 'you give me your 'and across the table, and say, “Gawd strike me dead if I don't back you up.”' His voice was hardly raised, yet it thrilled the hearer. His face seemed the epitome of cunning, and the captain recoiled from it as from a blow. 'What for?' said he. 'Luck,' said Huish. 'Substantial guarantee demanded.' And he continued to hold out his hand.