"When I left him last night he was taking in sufficient Scotch to last
him for a voyage; he'll turn up all right to-day, and we can do without
him. I hope you had a good win."
Captain Seagrave was in a good humour. The seventy pounds he had won was
safely locked up in his chest.
"I did all right, Sam. By Jove, young Redland can ride; it was a
clinking race. I was in a deuce of a funk at one time, thought my money
was gone, but he pulled through all right at the finish. I'll tell you
what, Sam, we'll get in a few delicacies for the voyage. You'll go your
share, I am sure."
"Certainly, but I only had five pounds on, and won twenty."
"A whole fiver! Where did it come from?"
"The office. I bled them; got a bit on account. It was like drawing a
back tooth, but I managed it."
The skipper looked at him admiringly. He knew Sharp and Co. were not
given to ostentatious displays of liberality.
"You are cleverer than I thought you were. How did you manage it?"
"Gave them your tip."
"You told Sharp I was backing Topsy Turvy?"
"I did. Moreover, I said you had persuaded Mac to follow your lead, and
Sharp said if Mac thought it was worth a bit, he'd have a trifle on
himself; and he did."
"Then Sharp ought to send us a couple of cases of whisky aboard. I'll
ask him about it," said the skipper.
Later on in the day the chief engineer put in an appearance, and
staggered into Captain Seagrave's cabin.
"Oh, it's you, is it, Mac?"
"Yes, it's me--what's left of me. You'll ruin the ship, Captain. It's
not fair to the men; it's demoralising. I hope next time you get a tip
you'll keep it to yourself."
"That's ungrateful. How much did you win?"
"Only a tenner. I had not sufficient faith in you to put on more than a
couple of sovs."
Job Seagrave laughed. He got on very well with his officers and crew.
They really liked the "old man" because he invariably stood by them, no
matter what trouble they got into, or whether they were right or wrong.
A clerk from the shipping office came to the door of the cabin, and
handed the captain a note. It advised him that the "Golden Land" must
sail as soon as possible after the remainder of the cargo, which was to
be delivered that day, was got on board.
"All serene," said Job. "But what about my passengers? They don't expect
her to get away before next week."
"Then you'll have to hurry them up."
"How the deuce am I to find them?"
"That's not my business; you have your orders," said the clerk
impudently. The office hands did not like the skipper; he was one too
many for them.
"Are you running the ship, or am I?" roared Job.
"You have the honour to command the old tub, I believe."
"Then you clear out of it as soon as possible, or you'll travel down the
gangway faster than you came. You shrivelled up young leek, how dare you
cheek me!"
The clerk disappeared. He had experienced what the captain's temper was
like before, and did not relish a repetition.
"The atmosphere feels cleaner now he's gone," growled Mac.
"We'll sail when we think proper, Mr. Macdonald, and I'm d----d if I am
going without my passengers, Sharp or no Sharp."
Mar chuckled. He gloried in defying "the powers that be" ashore.
"Tell him we are short of coal. Inform Mr. Sharp that there is not
sufficient grease on board to make a slide on the cabin floor, let alone
to oil the engines. That ought to settle him."
"Mac," said the skipper, "we are going to have a decent trip. I am about
to provision this ship in a lordly style. Will you stand in, it will be
worth it?"
The chief engineer looked dubious.
"I had a very small win," he said. "But I'll lay in some of my special,
and you're welcome to a share."
"Where's the crew?" asked Job, as he went on deck.
"Half in and half out. They keep turning up in small quantities; the
bosun's just arrived in a hansom," laughed Slack.
"He's a credit to the ship. When the bosun can drive about in a hansom,
there's no reason why the skipper should not have a carriage and pair."
"None at all; I'd like to see you in it, you'd fill it well," replied
the chief officer with a smile.
"Stow your chaff; I'm going to board Sharp in the office. Mind you, I
have forgiven you lubbers for deserting the ship last night, but don't
let it occur again, or there'll be a concert on board."
"And very little harmony."
"That is so, Sam; you have a keen intelligence," replied Job.
He drove to the office of Sharp and Co. in a hansom, and entered the
premises with a defiant air. The clerk who presented the letter on
board, saw him, and fled to the rear of the building.
Abe Sharp was in his office, and as the skipper entered he asked him to
be seated.
"Haven't time," said Job. "We're under sailing orders. Steam up, and we
move out in two hours. Are the papers ready?"
Sharp knew his man. "You received my letter?" he asked.
"I did. That's the reason the funnel is already belching forth smoke.
We're quick on the 'Golden Land,' a darned sight smarter than you are in
this office."
"I am afraid your temper is ruffled," said Sharp.
"And so would yours be if a tadpole addressed you with the authority of
a whale."
"Who is the tadpole?"
Job Seagrave named the offending clerk.
"He shall be reprimanded," said Sharp.
"Much good that will do him. Sack him."
"He's useful."
"Then I'm sorry for you. We have no use for things like that on the
'Golden Land.' Are the papers ready?"
"No, of course not."
"Then what the ---- is the use of dragging me up here in a hurry."
"You are too sudden, captain. I hope you don't drive the 'Golden Land'
at this rate."