at's what he is, for a guinea," said the captain
sourly. "So that's your brother, is it, sir?"

"Yes, this is my brother," was the reply.

"Thought he was. Be just like you when he's a dozen years older."

"I doubt it, captain. You don't suppose I shall stand still during the
next twelve years?"

"No, of course not, sir."

"But this is not business, captain."

"No, sir, it isn't," said that individual angrily; "and if I'd known
that I was going to be played such an unbusinesslike trick you wouldn't
have caught me off Johnstown in my brig, I can tell you. I was as good
as promised a full cargo of sugar back to Bristol, and I'm thrown
overboard for the sake of saving a few dirty pounds by the agents here.
But it ain't my business."

"And my proposal is, captain?"

"Well, I dunno, sir. You've come to me in a very pleasant,
straightforward sort o' way to make me what sounds like a good offer.
But, you see, we're strangers; I don't know you."

"And I did not know you till yesterday, when I was making enquiries
about a vessel."

"That's right, sir. Well, you see, I'm a business man, and I always
speak out straight what I mean."

"Speak out then, captain."

"Who may you be?"

"There is my card," was the reply, and a slip was taken out of a
pocket-book and pushed across the table, to be picked up by the captain,
who read:

"`Sir Humphrey Leigh, Pioneers' Club, Pall Mall.' Humph! Pall Mall's
in London, isn't it, sir?"

"Yes."

"Then now I know your name, sir. But do you know anyone here, sir?"

"The bankers will be my reference, and, what will suit you better,
captain, credit your account with any sum you and I agree shall be paid
to you for the use of your ship."

"Yes, sir, that's all very straightforward and nice; but, you see,
before I close with you there's the what for!"

"What for?"

"Yes, sir; I can't go blindfold into a bargain like this. I want to
know who you are and what you want to do. In plain English, sir, what
are you up to?"

"You know who I am, Captain Banes, and you can satisfy yourself at the
bankers' that I am in a position to pay you well and to make your voyage
a far more lucrative one than carrying home a cargo of sugar would be."

"That's right, sir; but I'm, so to speak, answerable for my brig and for
the lives of my crew. Just have the goodness to tell me again what you
want me to do."

"Take on board an ample supply of stores for a year's cruise, and then
s