Your ten
thousand is a sop; and people will only wonder you were
so damned impudent as to offer such a small one!
Whichever way you take it, Mr. Dodd, the bottom's out
of your character; so there's one thing less to be
considered."
"I daresay you'll scarce believe me," said I, "but I
feel that a positive relief."
"You must be made some way different from me, then,"
returned Nares. "And, talking about me, I might just
mention how I stand. You'll have no trouble from me--
you've trouble enough of your own; and I'm friend
enough, when a friend's in need, to shut my eyes and go
right where he tells me. All the same, I'm rather
queerly fixed. My owners'll have to rank with the rest
on their charter-party. Here am I, their
representative! and I have to look over the ship's side
while the bankrupt walks his assets ashore in Mr.
Speedy's hat-box. It's a thing I wouldn't do for James
G. Blaine; but I'll do it for you, Mr. Dodd, and only
sorry I can't do more.
"Thank you, captain; my mind is made up," said I.
"I'll go straight, RUAT COELUM! I never understood
that old tag before to-night.
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