“You may laugh as much as you’ve a mind to,” said old Bates, in an angry tone; “but that don’t suit me; I want money, and money I’ll have, by fair means or foul.” “Well, then, get it; it’s none o’ my business,” said Captain Jack, in a surly tone; “I’m just as short as any one.” “And how comes it we are all so hard up, then?” “I don’t know; business is dull. I suppose that’s it.” “No it ain’t,” said old Bates, sneeringly. “Business is as good as ever it was, but you are growing as timid as a girl, Captain Jack.” “Me?” “Yes, you. You needn’t foam, and sweat, and swear, I knows all about it.” “About what?” “Why, that affair with you and Colonel Blood; you are under his thumb, my man.” “Well, suppose I am, what then? Didn’t he threaten to hang every one of the Dozen on the cross-roads if we didn’t find out the murderer of old Farmer Bertram?” “Well, and so we have. Haven’t you got young Redgill in prison for it?” “Yes,” said Captain Jack, but at the same time he knew he was telling a lie, and tried to whistle. “Now you’ve got the right party, what more claim has the colonel got against us?” “Young Redgill ain’t hung yet; the bargain holds good, so the colonel says, until that’s accomplished.” “Why, that’s another condition,” said old Bates, with an oath; “first it was capture him, now it’s stop till he’s hanged; there seems to be some mystery about this whole affair, Captain Jack; there has been some bargain or other between you and this young Redgill.” “Bargain,” said Captain Jack indignantly, “bargain! what do you mean?” “Why I mean this, Captain Jack, that you’ve been doing a shuffling business with all of us.” “Do you mean to insult me?” said Jack, placing his hand upon his sword and looking very ferocious. “I don’t care whether you take it as an insult or not, one man’s word is as good as another, and young Redgill told the gaolers that you have had thousands from him one time and another.” “Thousands!” said Captain Jack, indignantly, “why, the fellow must be mad to talk in that way; why, he never had thousands in all his life.” “Not by fair means, I dare say, Jack; but there ain’t a doubt but what he has paid _you_ well enough.” “Now, look here, Bates,” said Captain Jack, “you must be either dreaming or mad; I only received what he owed me of borrowed money.” “Borrowed money,” said Old Bates, laughing out lustily, “borrowed money, eh? Why, you must take me for a perfect fool, Captain Jack.” “Well and suppose I do?” “Why, all I can say, then, you are d—nably mistaken.” “Hullo, Bates, hullo! what does all this mean, eh? You get me to crack a bottle of wine with you, and then you turn round and abuse me.” “No I don’t, it’s you that abuses _me_. Do you think for a moment you could have thousands of pounds to lend to a young rascal like that? No, no, Captain Jack; if you _do_ think me a fool, I tell you again you are d—nably mistaken, that’s all.”