"Deaf and dumb, eh?" repeated the Buffer. "Well,—p'rhaps that's convenient in more ways than one." "I believe you," said the master, significantly. "Ah! I thought so," cried Wicks, who now felt convinced that the _Blossom_ was not a whit better than the _Fairy_. "Ain't there no one on board but you and Blackee?" "What the devil should we want any more hands for?" said the master, gruffly. "Oh! I understand," observed the Buffer. "Capital! you're the master—to do as you like; Blackee's deaf and dumb, and can't blab; and you and him are alone on board. I've hit it, you see." "You're uncommon sharp, my fine feller," said the master. "Step on board and wash your mouth out." The Buffer did not hesitate to accept this invitation. The Black had lighted his pipe, and was lounging on the deck over the after cabin. The master disappeared down the hatchway of the small cabin, or cuddy, forward; and in a few moments he returned with a bottle and two tin pannikins. "What's the name of your craft?" he said, as he poured out the liquor, which exhaled the strong and saccharine flavour of rum. "The _Fairy_," replied the Buffer. "Then here's a health to the _Fairy_." "And here's to the _Blossom_." The master and the Buffer each took draughts of the raw spirit. "Now let us drink to our better acquaintance," said the master. "You seem an honest, open-hearted kind of a feller——" "And to be trusted, too," interrupted Wicks. "Well—I'm inclined to think you are," said the master, speaking deliberately, as if he were meditating upon some particular idea which then occupied his mind; "and it's very probable—it _may_ be, I mean—that I shall want a little of your advice; for which, remember, I should be happy to pay you well." "You couldn't apply to a better man," returned the Buffer. "And here's to you," said the master. "What sort of a fellow is Mossop, that keeps this wharf?" "He has no eyes, no ears, and no tongue for things that don't consarn him," answered Wicks. "Just the kind of agent I want," returned the master. "But I shall also require two or three good fellers in a few days,—chaps that ain't over partickler, you understand, how they earn a ten-pound note, so long as it's sure." "And you want two or three chaps of that kind?" asked the Buffer. "Yes. I've a good thing in hand," returned the master. "But I shan't say too much now." "Well, you may reckon on me at any moment—to-morrow excepted," said Wicks; "and my pal in the _Fairy_ will also be glad to row in the same boat." "What sort of a man is your pal?" demanded the master: "one of the right kind?" "If he wasn't, him and I shouldn't long hold together," answered the Buffer. "But when do you think you'll want our services?" "Very soon. You say you're both engaged for to-morrow?" "Yes—both of us." "The day after to-morrow, in the evening, you and your friend can come and smoke your pipes with me; and we'll talk the matter over," said the master.