"You're a hard nut, that's what you are, and I pity anybody that has the cracking of you.

A man that could come and offer me seventy pounds for a craft like this--seventy pounds, mind you," he added, with a rising colour, as he turned to the others "seventy pounds, and a face like a baby.

Why, when I think of it, DAMME IF I DON'T----" Captain Brisket laid his hand on his arm and with soothing words led him below.

His voice was heard booming in the cabin until at length it ended in a roar of laughter, and Captain Brisket, appearing at the companion, beckoned them below, with a whispered injunction to Mr.Chalk to keep as much in the background as possible.
The business was soon concluded, and Mr.Chalk's eye brightened again as he looked on his new property.

Captain Brisket, in high good-humour, began to talk of accommodation, and, among other things, suggested a scheme of cutting through the bulkhead at the foot of the companion-ladder and building a commodious cabin with three berths in the hold.
"There are two ladies coming," said Mr.Chalk.
Captain Brisket rubbed his chin.