But he won't always. He never ought to have got the
money to buy this old tub."
"You said you wouldn't have her for a gift," chuckled the old man.
"But that don't make it any the more right that he should have her.
And she is hoodooed. You know she is, Horry."
The old mariner was silent. 'Rion craftily went on:
"Look what a number of things have happened since he put this derned
schooner into commission. We broke an anchor chain in Paulmouth
Harbor, didn't we? And the old mud hook lies there to this day. Did
you ever see so many halyards snap in your life, and in just a
capful of wind? Didn't we have a tops'l carried away--clean--in that
squall off Swampscott? And now the hands are leaving her."
"Guess you know something about that," growled Horry.
'Rion grinned.
"Maybe I do. I don't say 'no' and I don't say 'yes.' However, we've
all got to work like dogs to make up for being short-handed."
"Nobody is kicking much but you," said the older man.
"That's all right. I've got pluck enough not to stand being imposed
upon. Them Portygees--well, there's no figuring on what they will
do."
"I can see you are bent on making them do something that will raise
trouble," Newbegin said, shaking his head once more.
Pages:
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203