It was a plain man's masterpiece of the sardonic.
'What do you think of it?' said he, when he had done, and looked down at Huish, flushed and serious, and yet jeering.
'I'll tell you wot it is,' was the reply, 'you and me cut a pretty dicky figure.'
'That's so,' said Davis, 'a pretty measly figure, by God! And, by God, I want to see that man at my knees.'
'Ah!' said Huish. "Ow to get him there?'
'That's it!' cried Davis. 'How to get hold of him! They're four to two; though there's only one man among them to count, and that's Attwater. Get a bead on Attwater, and the others would cut and run and sing out like frightened poultry--and old man Herrick would come round with his hat for a share of the pearls. No, SIR! it's how to get hold of Attwater! And we daren't even go ashore; he would shoot us in the boat like dogs.'
'Are you particular about having him dead or alive?' asked Huish.
'I want to see him dead,' said the captain.
'Ah, well!' said Huish, 'then I believe I'll do a bit of breakfast.'
And he turned into the house.
The captain doggedly followed him.
'What's this?' he asked. 'What's your idea, anyway?'
'Oh, you let me alone, will you?' said Huish, opening a bottle of champagne. 'You'll 'ear my idea soon enough. Wyte till I pour some chain on my 'ot coppers.' He drank a glass off, and affected to listen. ''Ark!' said he, ''ear it fizz. Like 'am fryin', I declyre. 'Ave a glass, do, and look sociable.'
'No!' said the captain, with emphasis; 'no, I will not! there's business.'
'You p'ys your money and you tykes your choice, my little man,' returned Huish. 'Seems rather a shyme to me to spoil your breakfast for wot's really ancient 'istory.'
He finished three parts of a bottle of champagne, and nibbled a corner of biscuit, with extreme deliberation; the captain sitting opposite and champing the bit like an impatient horse. Then Huish leaned his arms on the table and looked Davis in the face.
'W'en you're ready!' said he.
'Well, now, what's your idea?' said Davis, with a sigh.
'Fair play!' said Huish. 'What's yours?'
'The trouble is that I've got none,' replied Davis; and wandered for some time in aimless discussion of the difficulties in their path, and useless explanations of his own fiasco.
'About done?' said Huish.
'I'll dry up right here,' replied Davis.
'Well, then,' said Huish, 'you give me your 'and across the table, and say, "Gawd strike me dead if I don't back you up."'
His voice was hardly raised, yet it thrilled the hearer. His face seemed the epitome of cunning, and the captain recoiled from it as from a blow.
'What for?' said he.
'Luck,' said Huish. 'Substantial guarantee demanded.'
And he continued to hold out his hand.
'I don't see the good of any such tomfoolery,' said the other.
'I do, though,' returned Huish. 'Gimme your 'and and say the words; then you'll 'ear my view of it. Don't, and you won't.'
The captain went through the required form, breathing short, and gazing on the clerk with anguish. What to fear, he knew not; yet he feared slavishly what was to fall from the pale lips.
'Now, if you'll excuse me 'alf a second,' said Huish, 'I'll go and fetch the byby.'
'The baby?' said Davis. 'What's that?'
'Fragile. With care. This side up,' replied the clerk with a wink, as he disappeared.
He returned, smiling to himself, and carrying in his hand a silk handkerchief. The long stupid wrinkles ran up Davis's brow, as he saw it. What should it contain? He could think of nothing more recondite than a revolver.
Huish resumed his seat.
'Now,' said he, 'are you man enough to take charge of 'Errick and the niggers? Because I'll take care of Hattwater.'
'How?' cried Davis. 'You can't!'
'Tut, tut!' said the clerk. 'You gimme time. Wot's the first point? The first point is that we can't get ashore, and I'll make you a present of that for a 'ard one. But 'ow about a flag of truce? Would that do the trick, d'ye think? or would Attwater simply blyze aw'y at us in the bloomin' boat like dawgs?'
'No,' said Davis, 'I don't believe he would.'
'No more do I,' said Huish; 'I don't believe he would either; and I'm sure I 'ope he won't! So then you can call us ashore. Next point is to get near the managin' direction.