best friends. Now, I tell you
what I will do: I will on my own responsibility give you in cash
two-thirds now, and the other third I pledge myself will be paid at
Amonti. It would be a scandal to all concerned to allow it to drop at
the present time."

"Scandal be d----d!" replied the commander. "You're a fine lot to talk
about scandal--you who would rob Jesus Christ of his shoe-strings."

"Capitan, you do me wrong; I would never do the things you say."

"Stump up the dross like a man, then, and don't stand whining there
like a sucking turkey craving for pity," retorted Captain S----. A
look of injured piety came over the old rascal's face, who was playing
a game of Levantine jugglery, subtle and crafty.

"Ah," said he, "I am so sorry. Indeed, I cannot express my grief that
you should have changed in so short a time from the kind, generous
capitan of old times long ago to the very cruel, disobliging person of
this minute, who calls me names and refuses to reciprocate kindness
for kindness. I think my friends will say that I tell lies, which they
would not think of me, when I tell them that you have become morose
and disobliging. They will stare and say that my judgment has been
deceived. But to show my trust in you, nevertheless, I will, as I have
said, give you two-thirds cash, and the other third you will be paid
at your destination. No other man in Gibraltar would do the same; but
we are old friends who have done business together before--not
profitable, but still it was business, very hard business. Come, now,
capitan, do be reasonable, and do not look at me as though you would
like to strike my face with your fist."

The captain had been standing in a reflective mood during the
Rock-scorpion's harangue, obviously reviewing the whole position and
the policy that should be adopted. He was dubious as to the wisdom of
accepting the terms offered; but seeing that the risk to him was less
than it was to them, he spontaneously replied--

"Agreed! But I warn _you_, and you must intimate the warning to your
friends, if there is any attempt at deceiving me, or any reluctance
shown at the other end to pay the balance of freight, I will steam off
with the merchandise and the men you propose sending with me, and I
don't care to say what will become of them."

"Shake hands," said the wily agent; "and I give you my word of honour,
which everybody trusts but you since you came this time, that there
will be no trouble made