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The Sea-Hawk by Rafael Sabatini
page 88 of 460 (19%)
"Let us take a turn outside, captain," said he.

The captain's eyes narrowed. He scented business. There was something
plaguily odd about this young gentleman's manner. He tossed off the
remains of his sack, slapped down the pot and rose.

"Your servant, Master Tressilian," said he.

Outside our gentleman untethered his horse from the iron ring to which
he had attached the bridle; leading his horse he turned seaward and
strode down the road that wound along the estuary towards Smithick.

A sharp breeze from the north was whipping the water into white peaks of
foam; the sky was of a hard brightness and the sun shone brilliantly.
The tide was running out, and the rock in the very neck of the haven was
thrusting its black crest above the water. A cable's length this side
of it rode the black hull and naked spars of the Swallow--Captain
Leigh's ship.

Lionel stepped along in silence, very gloomy and pensive, hesitating
even now. And the crafty mariner reading this hesitation, and anxious
to conquer it for the sake of such profit as he conceived might lie in
the proposal which he scented, paved the way for him at last.

I think that ye'll have some matter to propose to me." said he slyly.
"Out with it, sir, for there never was a man more ready to serve you."

"The fact is," said Lionel, watching the other's face with a sidelong
glance, "I am in a difficult position, Master Leigh."

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