At a rough guess the value could not be much under pounds 5,000 sterling.

A new cargo had been taken in only a few days before the catastrophe, and it had been Isaac Hakkabut's intention to cruise from Ceuta to Tripoli, calling wherever he had reason to believe there was likely to be a market for any of his commodities.
"A fine haul, lieutenant," said the captain.
"Yes, indeed," said the lieutenant; "but what if the owner refuses to part with it ?" "No fear; no fear," replied the captain.

"As soon as ever the old rascal finds that there are no more Arabs or Algerians for him to fleece, he will be ready enough to transact a little business with us.

We will pay him by bills of acceptance on some of his old friends in the Old World." "But why should he want any payment ?" inquired the lieutenant.

"Under the circumstances, he must know that you have a right to make a requisition of his goods." "No, no," quickly rejoined Servadac; "we will not do that.