stopped short and corrected himself—"not going to cruise anywhere, short-handed."
Bob's eyes glistened, and he stole a look in the Captain's face.
"How many would you be wanting?" said he, cautiously, "and where would they have to serve? First-class men is very bad to get here-away, just now."
"If I had a gunner, a boatswain's-mate, and a good captain of the foretop, I'd weigh next tide, and chance it," replied the other, cheerfully, but his chin fell while his eye rested on the pile of accounts, and he wondered how he could ever comb them into shape for inspection.
Bob thought of the seamen still drinking in his taproom, and the obviously low state of their finances. It would work he decided, but it must be done under three influences, viz., beer, secrecy, and caution.
"Captain," said he, shutting the door carefully, "I'd rather do you a turn than any lodger I've had yet. If I can help you to a hand or two, I'm the man as'll do it. You'll be willing to pay the expenses, I suppose?"
The Captain did not appear totally inexperienced in such matters, for, on asking the amount and receiving for answer a sum that would have purchased all the stock of liquors in the house over and over again, he showed neither indignation nor surprise, but observed quietly—
"Able seamen, of course?"
"Of course!" repeated Bob. "Honour, you know, Captain, honour!" If he had added "among thieves," he would none the less clearly have expressed the situation. Reflecting for a moment, he approached his guest and whispered in his ear, "For the account?"
"Ask me no questions," answered the Captain, significantly. "You know as well as I do that your price covers everything. Is it a bargain?"
"That would make a difference, you see, Captain," urged Bob, determined to get all he could. "It's not what it used to be, and the Government is uncommon hard upon a look-out man now, if he makes a mistake in the colours of a prize. In King James's time, I've seen the gentlemen-rovers drinking at this very table with the mayor and the magistrates, ay, and sending up their compliments and
