The Courage of Captain Plum by James Oliver Curwood
page 7 of 194 (03%)
page 7 of 194 (03%)
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"Dry as tinder."
"And balls--lots of balls, and a few guns, eh?" "Yes, we _have_ a few guns," said Captain Plum. The old man noted the emphasis, but the darkness that had fast settled about them hid the added meaning that passed in a curious look over the other's face. "Odd way to come in, though--very odd!" continued the old man, gurgling and shaking as if the thought of it occasioned him great merriment. "Very cautious. Level business head. Want to know that things are on the square, eh?" "That's it!" exclaimed Captain Plum, catching at the proffered straw. Inwardly he was wondering when his feet would touch bottom. Thus far he had succeeded in getting but a single grip on the situation. Somebody was expected at Beaver Island with powder and balls and guns. Well, he had a certain quantity of these materials aboard his sloop, and if he could make an agreeable bargain-- The old man interrupted the plan that was slowly forming itself in Captain Plum's puzzled brain. "It's the price, eh?" He laughed shrewdly. "You want to see the color of the gold before you land the goods. I'll show it to you. I'll pay you the whole sum to-night. Then you'll take the stuff where I tell you to. Eh? Isn't that so?" He darted ahead of Captain Plum with a quick alert movement. "Will you please follow me, sir?" For an instant Captain Plum's impulse was to hold back. In that instant |
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