apparently satisfied.

"I don't trust that damned steward," he said, "nor, as a matter of
fact, anyone else wholly." He paused, and stared at me; then added:
"I've never had any faith in your race, Gates, but am inclined to use
you."

"I do not know any special reason why you should sir."

"No more do I. Every Englishman I ever knew was a liar, and a sneaking
poltroon. I was brought up to hate the race, and always have. I can't
say that I like you any better than the others. By God! I don't, for
the matter of that. But just now you can be useful to me if you are
of that mind. This is a business proposition, and it makes no odds if
we hate each other, so the end is gained. How does that sound?"

I shifted my position so as to gain a clearer view of his face. I was
still wholly at sea as to what the fellow was driving at--yet,
evidently enough he was in earnest. It was my part to find out.

"Not altogether bad," I admitted. "I have been in some games of chance
before."

"I thought as much," eagerly, "and money has the same chink however it
be earned. You could use some?"

"If I had any to use; after a sailor has been drunk there is not apt
to be much left in his pockets."

He reached across into the upper bunk, and brought forth a bottle and