I'm the judge; I'm reason. If
you want an advance you have to pay for it"--he hastily
corrected himself--"If you want a passage in my ship,
you have to pay my price," he substituted. "That's
business, I believe. I don't want you; you want me."
"Well, sir," said Carthew, "and what IS your
price?"
The captain made bread pills. "If I were like you," he
said, "when you got hold of that merchant in the
Gilberts, I might surprise you. You had your chance
then; seems to me it's mine now. Turn about's fair
play. What kind of mercy did you have on that Gilbert
merchant?" he cried with a sudden stridency. "Not that
I blame you. All's fair in love and business," and he
laughed again, a little frosty giggle.
"Well, sir?" said Carthew gravely.
"Well, this ship's mine, I think?" he asked sharply.
"Well, I'm of that way of thinking meself," observed
Mac.
"I say it's mine, sir!" reiterated Trent, like a man
trying to be angry. "And I tell you all if I was a
driver like what you are, I would take the lot. But
there's two thousand pounds there that don't belong to
you, and I'm an honest man.
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