Then Will related what befell him the night before-how Dent walked
home with him, and begged to buy his place in the ship; how Will was
firm in his refusal until Dent declared his intention of going in for
Bet, and making her his wife at any cost.

"He shan't have her," said Will, clenching his fist. "A fellow like
Dent!-why, he's a real bad 'un, Hester. Why, he swears dreadful, and
he drinks deep, and he's cruel. Ef you had seen how he treated the
cabin boy when we was mates together in the `Betsy Prig' you wouldn't
like the feel of knowing that a girl what you loved more than all the
world should even set eyes on him. Why, he's a worse man than Bet's
father, and that's saying enough."

"Yes, it's saying enough," said Hester. "And so you sold your berth
to Isaac?"

"Yes-I wanted to get rid of him, and I can soon find another.
Liverpool's a bit a fresher place to-night because he's not in it."

"And what did he give you, Will?"

"Ten pounds, in Bank of England notes. I have them in my pocket. Shall
I show them to you, Hester?"

"No, no; only keep them close. Don't talk of them, and don't change
them until you can't help yourself. This is a bad part of town for a
lad to have a bit of money in. You keep your lips sealed about it,
Will--that is, if you want to keep the money."