"Sorry, Noah, but Murphy says he wouldn't sign up for a trip to Cape
Town at chief mate's wages."

"I'm sorry, too, Mac," Captain Noah answered resignedly. "I'm sorry
you're such a liar. My grief is only compensated by the knowledge
that Murphy is not aboard the Nokomis at this minute, and, if you did
any talking while you were out on deck a minute ago you must have
talked to yourself. Do I get this man, Murphy and thus save the Blue
Star Navigation Company five hundred dollars or must I wire Cappy
Ricks to wire you to do your duty by the company?"

"You infernal thief," shouted McBride, "you're taking the best second
mate I've had in years."

"Never mind that. Do I get Mike Murphy peaceably or--"

"You've got him already" McBride charged.

"You're better at telling the truth than you are at lying, Angus
McBride. You'll have plenty of time to get a second mate while the
Nokomis is loading, and you can send the bill for his railroad fare to
Cappy Ricks and tell him to charge it to the Retriever."

McBride tried to appear aggrieved, but failed. He burst out laughing,
and reached for the locker in which he kept the schooner's supply of
grog.

"Would it was prussic acid," he growled.