three, either that or he wanted me to win. I tell you, he’s a sport. The Dutchman proposition had taken such a hold on him I guess he wanted to help, somehow. Anyhow, there it is; boat and provisions won’t cost me a cent. How’s that for luck?”

“Good,” said George laughing. “And now if you get a crew for nothing, you’ll be fixed.”

“Well, I’ve got you for one,” said Hank. “You won’t cost anything and you can steer.”

George put down his coffee cup.

“That reminds me,” said he, “how about the navigation—are you any good?”

“Well, I don’t say I’m good,” said Hank, “but I’m good enough to take that old cat boat down the coast and bring her back again. Now if you’re finished, let’s get, for I’m just longing to begin the sweep of her decks and start clearing her down and overhauling the rigging.”

“But see here,” said George, “aren’t you going to get men to work on her?”

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41

“Yep. I’m a man, aren’t I, and you’re another. Now, you get it in your head, Bud: I’m starting out in this business to catch the Dutchman, not to support a lot of bone lazy union fumblers for half their natural. Why you don’t know what these dockyard dandies are, you don’t indeed. Y’ remember Elihu Stevens when he started out on that cruise of his in the Maryland? I’ve seen him near crying over the dollar-snatchers at work on her. They robbed him of time and they robbed him of money, and they damn near robbed him of his life with their rotten spars and mush planking.”

“But I’m as innocent as Solomon’s aunt of how rigging should be fixed.”

“I’ll learn you,” said Hank.

George was silent. He seemed thinking about things. Hank leaned forward across the table.

“Bud,” said he, “you’re not backing out, are you? You’re not afraid of a bit of work? Why, look here, Bud, I’d only to put my hand in your pocket, so to speak, and pull out the dollars to pay for fitters and riggers enough to fit out a battleship, let alone the Wear Jack. But, leaving alone being robbed of time and dollars, where’d be the game in that? I’m doing this thing with my own hands and head and so are you. Forget money—it spoils everything.”

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