ight
away, and be ready to sail in a day's time. We don't want no
soldierin' on the job. It's to be up hook and away and look lively.
You'll have to move navy style, Jarrow. You know me."
"Thinks I'm foremast in his brig," said Jarrow, with a leer at
Vanderzee.
"You better cut over across the river," said Dinshaw, "and tell him
you're ready and you'll have the _Nuestra_ alongside the Mole by
dark to take on stores, or he'll have another boat. He said
somethin' about knowin' a man out here who had a yacht, comin'
down from Japan."
"Smoke," said Peth.
"I wonder," remarked Jarrow, scratching his head. "Sure ye didn't
lift that ten-_peso_ bill from Prayerful Jones? I'll be bugs myself
if I listen to you."
"Hood'll listen," said Dinshaw, crisply, and made a new effort to
reach the door.
"Vhy don'd you to der Pay Few go?" suggested Vanderzee.
Jarrow looked at himself. "I'd have to shift my duds," he said,
"and I ain't for huntin' sharks' eggs on Looney's say. What ye
think, Peth? Shall we fill up that way?"
"I ain't no hand for them swells," said Peth. "You go, cap'n, an'
I'll stand by down here with Dinshaw."
"Vait!" said Vanderzee, holding up a black hand. "Vot's der name?
Locke!" He stepped into a tiny office behind the bar. They heard
him asking the clerk at the Bay View if there was a man named Locke
staying there. In an instant he was back again, grinning.
"Iss!" he exclaimed. "So soon I know, I hang opp."
"Well," said Jarrow, who was still in doubt as to what he should
do, "that's somethin' to know. Maybe some rich tourist did fall for
Looney's yarn."
Peth went back to the bar and leaned against it as if he had made
up his mind not to move until Jarrow reached some decision.
"By the Mighty Nelson, I've got a twist in my chains to take a run
over to the hotel!"
"Shoot," said Peth, displaying more interest than he had at any
time since Dinshaw had arrived.
"Come along, Peth," said Jarrow. "I'll git into some fresh duds,
and you brail yerself up to look smart, and we'll drift over in a
_carromata_. Will you wait here, Dinshaw?"
"I'll wait, Jarrow, I'll wait. Tell him I sent ye, and he'll know.
It's all settled right enough if you lay alongside and make fast,
and no time lost."
"See that he don't git away," Jarrow whispered to Vanderzee. "I
can't take no chances with this--and keep him quiet--in there."
Pointing to the alcove, Jarrow slipped out through the door,
followed by Pet
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