"'Well, sir,' replied I, nettled at his answer, 'at all events, you will have the goodness to pay us our fare. We have lost our wherry, and our liberty, perhaps, through you; we may as well have our two guineas.' "'Two guineas! It's two guineas you want, heh?' "'Yes, sir, that was the fare agreed upon.' "'Why, you must observe, my men,' said the master's-mate, hooking a thumb into each arm-hole of his waistcoat, 'there must be a little explanation as to that affair. I promised you two guineas as watermen; but now that you belong to a man-of-war, you are no longer watermen. I always pay my debts honourably when I can find the lawful creditors; but where are the watermen?' "'Here we are, sir.' "'No, my lads, you are men-of-war's men now, and that quite alters the case." "'But we are not so yet, sir: even if it did alter the case, we are not pressed yet.' "'Well, then, you will be to-morrow, perhaps; at all events we shall see. If you are allowed to go on shore again, I owe you two guineas as watermen; and if you are detained as men-of-war's men, why then you will only have done your duty in pulling down one of your officers. You see, my lads, I say nothing but what's fair.' "'Well, sir, but when you hired us, we were watermen,' replied Tom. "'Very true, so you were; but recollect the two guineas were not due until you had completed your task, which was not until you came on board. When you came on board you were pressed and became men-of-war's men. You should have asked for your fare before the first lieutenant got hold of you. Don't you perceive the justice of my remarks?' "'Can't say I do, sir; but I perceive that there is very little chance of our being paid,' said Tom. "'You are a lad of discrimination,' replied the master's-mate; 'and now I advise you to drop the subject, or you may induce me to pay you man-of-war fashion.' "'How's that, sir?' "'Over the face and eyes, as the cat paid the monkey,' replied the master's-mate, walking leisurely away. "No go, Tom,' said I, smiling at the absurdity of the arguments. "'I'm afraid it's _no go_, in every way, Jacob. However, I don't care much about it. I have had a little hankering after seeing the world, and perhaps now's as well as any other time; but I'm sorry for you, Jacob.'