ttled, then," agreed the skipper, in tones of
considerable satisfaction. "Mr Purchas," he continued, "let some of
the hands turn-to at once to get those planks off the top of the galley
and into the longboat, while others rouse a few of the oldest and
softest of the sails out of the locker to make Mr--Mr Leslie a good,
comfortable bed. And, with regard to payment," he continued, turning
rather shamefacedly to Leslie, "business is business; and if you don't
mind we'll have the matter down on paper, in black and white. If you
were poor folks, now, or you an ordinary sailor-man," he explained, "I
wouldn't charge either of ye a penny piece. But it's easy to see that
you're a nob--a navy man, a regular brass-bounder, if I'm not mistaken--
and as such you can well afford it; while, as for the lady, anybody with
half an eye can see that she's a regular tip-topper, thoroughbred, and
all that, so she can afford it too; while I'm a poor man, and am likely
to be to the end of my days."

"Quite so," assented Leslie. "There is not the least need for
explanation or apology, I assure you. Neither Miss Trevor nor I will
willingly be indebted to you for the smallest thing; nor shall we be,
upon the terms that I have suggested. I shall feel perfectly easy in my
mind upon that score, knowing as well as you do that we shall be paying
most handsomely for the best that you can possibly give us. And now, at
last, I hope we very clearly understand each other."

So saying, he turned away and, walking forward to where Purchas was
superintending the removal of the planks referred to by the skipper, he
asked the mate if he could oblige him with the loan of a pipe and the
gift of a little tobacco.

"Of course I can," answered Purchas, cordially. "At least, I can give
ye a pipe of a sort--a clay; I buys about six shillin's worth every time
I starts upon a voyage. I get 'em at a shop in the Commercial Road, at
the rate of fifteen for a shillin'! I find it pays a lot better than
buyin' four briars at one-and-six apiece; for, you see, when you've lost
or smashed four briars, why, they're done for; but when you've lost or
smashed four clays--and I find that they last a'most as long as briars--
why, I've still a good stock of pipes to fall back upon. If a clay is
good enough for ye, ye're welcome to one, or a dozen if ye like."

"Oh, thanks," laughed Leslie; "one will be sufficient until I have lost
or broken it; then, maybe, I will trespa