For a moment the fellow's coolness was shaken; the sparkle died out of his eye and he shot up a furtive look at Phips, but he caught a grim smile on the face of the sturdy sailor.

He knew at once there was no treachery meant, and he guessed that Phips expected no crisis.

It was ever his way to act with promptness, being never so resourceful as when his position was most critical: he was in the power of Gering and Phips, and he knew it, but he knew also that his game must be a bold one.
"By-gones are by-gones, captain," he said; "and what's done can't be helped, and as it was no harm came anyhow." "By-gones are by-gones," replied the other, "and let's hope that Mr.
Gering will say so too." "Haven't you told him, sir ?" "Never a word--but I'll send for him now, and bygones let it be." Bucklaw nodded, and drummed the table with his tiger.

He guessed why Phips had not told Gering, and he foresaw trouble.

He trusted, however, to the time that had passed since the kidnapping, and on Gering's hunger for treasure.