ou,
squire?"

"Never," said the young man, laughing.

"Then take my advice--never you do be. Ships are shes, as you well
know, and they're about the most obstinate, awkward creatures to deal
with there are. Let 'em have their heads to themselves for a few
minutes, and they give their bowsprits a toss, and if they don't run on
the first rock they can find they rush into some outrageous current, or
else go straight ashore, to get knocked to pieces by the breakers.
That's the sort o' character I give a ship. I'd a deal rather sit
behind a wild horse without any reins than trust myself in a ship
without a good man and true at the wheel."

"Yes, yes, that's all very right, Captain Banes," said Sir Humphrey
drily, "but you'll excuse me: we are not talking business."

"I beg your pardon, sir, but we are," said the captain stoutly. "I
suppose you'll own that you propose rather an outrageous thing?"

"I do not look upon it as outrageous, captain; but certainly it is wild
and adventurous."

"Same thing, sir. Wants thinking about, and I'm thinking as hard as
ever I can. It means risk of life to my men and me."

"I will pay well to balance the risks," said Sir Humphrey.

The captain smiled grimly.

"I don't want to drive a hard bargain, sir," said the captain, rather
sternly now. "I only want to say that I don't know what pay you could
offer me and my crew that would balance the loss of our lives. I s'pose
you're a man of property?"

Sir Humphrey shrugged his shoulders, and smiled at his brother.

"Then look here, sir," said the captain, "if you'll reckon all you're
worth, multiply it by ten, and then do that again and offer it to me for
my life, I won't take it--there!"

"No, captain, I don't suppose you would," said Sir Humphrey, smiling.
"But if you feel disposed to undertake this journey, and in an honest
business-like spirit set down what you consider would be a fair payment
for the use of your brig and the services of yourself and crew, I have
no doubt that I shall close with you at once."

"And about what we get during the voyage--gold and silver and precious
stones?"

"Or more likely strange specimens of unknown animals, plants, and
curiosities, captain. Well, of course they would belong to me."

"Yes," said the captain thoughtfully; "that would be only fair. But
there's another thing, sir: I've got a medicine-chest, and I know how to
mix up a powder or a draught for the men in an ordinary way;