No flies on ole Bill, guv'nor, give yer me
oath on that. What abaht it, now? Shall us bring him along too? Just as
you ses, guv'nor, seein' as you're the boss, but 'e's a strong fellow is
my mate--and 'is mouth's like a trap."
Black Whiskers switched round in his slouchy walk, where he had fallen in
step beside Dollops, leaving Cleek on the boy's right hand, and gave the
"mate" a searching look under black brows. In the darkness, with just a
thread of moonlight to make patterns upon the black waters and etch out
the outline of mast and funnel and hull against the indigo, Cleek
recognized that look, and set his mouth grimly. He'd seen it once before,
upon that night when this man had stolen into his room and tried to knife
him.
"Where're you off to, matey? With all your fine secrets? I'd like to
know!" he said jokingly, digging Dollops in the ribs, and giving a loud
guffaw. "Some girl, I suppose."
"Somethin' uv more account than women, I kin tell ye!" threw in Black
Whiskers roughly. "'E's going ter help me with a little work--overtime is
what 'e'll get fer it.
Pages:
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284