"
"I hope it isn't my business that decides you?" asked
the captain.
"I'll never deny it was an element," said I. "I hope,
I hope I'm not cowardly; I hope I could steal for Jim
myself; but when it comes to dragging in you and
Speedy, and this one and the other, why, Jim has got to
die, and there's an end. I'll try and work for him
when I get to 'Frisco, I suppose; and I suppose I'll
fail, and look on at his death, and kick myself: it
can't be helped--I'll fight it on this line."
"I don't say as you're wrong," replied Nares, "and I'll
be hanged if I know if you're right. It suits me
anyway. And look here--hadn't you better just show our
friends over the side?" he added; "no good of being at
the risk and worry of smuggling for the benefit of
creditors."
"I don't think of the creditors," said I. "But I've
kept this pair so long I haven't got the brass to fire
them now."
Indeed, I believe that was my only reason for entering
upon a transaction which was now outside my interest,
but which (as it chanced) repaid me fifty-fold in
entertainment.
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