stuff," observed the man; "I'll trouble you for another glass."
This was one more than Mr Vanslyperken intended; but on second thoughts, it would make his new acquaintance more communicative, so another was filled, and as soon as it was filled, it was emptied.
"Capital stuff!" said he of the rubicund face, shoving his glass towards Vanslyperken, by way of hint; but the lieutenant would not take the hint, as his new guest had already swallowed as much as lasted himself for a week.
"But now," observed Vanslyperken, "where is this cargo to be seen, and when?"
"That's tellings," replied the man.
"I know that; but you have come to tell, or what the devil else?" replied Vanslyperken, who was getting angry.
"That's according," replied the man.
"According to what?"
"The snacks," replied the man. "What will you give up?"
"Give up! How do you mean?"
"What is my share to be?"
"Share! you can't share–you're not a king's officer."
"No, but I'm an informer, and that's the same thing."
"Well, depend upon it, I'll behave very liberally."
"How much, I ask?"
"We'll see to that afterwards; something handsome, depend upon it."
"That won't do. Wish you good-evening, sir. Many thanks for the scheedam–capital stuff!" and the man rose from his chair.
But Mr Vanslyperken had no intention to let him go; his avarice induced him at first to try if the man would be satisfied with his promise to reward him–a promise which would certainly never have been adhered to.
"Stop! my dear sir, do not be in such a hurry. Take another glass."
"With pleasure," replied the man, re-seating himself, and drinking off the scheedam. "That's really prime; I like it better every time I taste it. Now, then, shall we go to business again? I'll be plain with you. Half is my conditions, or I don't inform."
"Half!" exclaimed Vanslyperken; "half of ten thousand pounds? What, five thousands pounds?"
"Exactly so; half of ten is five, as you say."
"What, give you five thousand pounds?"
"I rather think it is I who offer you five thousand, for the devil a penny will you get without me. And that I will have, and this bond you must sign to that effect, or I'm off. You're not the only vessel in the harbour."
Vanslyperken tried for some time to reduce the terms, but the man was positive. Vanslyperken then tried if he could not make the man intoxicated, and thus obtain better terms; but fifteen glasses of his prime scheedam had no effect further than extorting unqualified praise as it was poured down, and at last Mr Vanslyperken unwillingly consented to the terms, and the bond was signed.
"We must weigh at the ebb," said the man, as he put the bond in his pocket. "I shall stay on board; we have a moonlight night, and if we had not, I could find my way out in a yellow fog. Please to get your boats all ready, manned and armed, for there may be a sharp tussle."
"But when do they run, and where?" demanded Vanslyperken.
"To-morrow night at the back of the Isle. Let me see," continued the man, taking out his watch; "mercy on me! how time has flown–that's the scheedam. In a couple of hours we must weigh. I'll go up and see if the wind holds in the same quarter. If you please, lieutenant, we'll just drink success to the expedition. Well, that's prime stuff, I do declare."
Chapter XV
In which the crew of the Yungfrau lose a good prize, and Snarleyyow loses his character
The next morning the Yungfrau was clear of St Helens, and sounding the eastern part of the Isle of Wight, after which she made sail into the offing, that she might not be suspected by those on shore waiting to receive the cargo. The weather was fine, and the water smooth, and as soon as she was well out, the cutter was hove-to. In the hurry of weighing, Mr Vanslyperken had not thought, or had not known perhaps, that the wife of Jemmy Ducks was still on board, and as he was turning up and down on the quarter-deck, he perceived her on the forecastle, laughing and talking with the men.
"What woman is that?" said he to Jansen, who was at the wheel.
"De frau, mynheer. Dat is de frau of Shimmy Duk."
"How dare she come on board? Send her aft here, marine."
The marine went forward and gave the order; and Jemmy, who expected a breeze, told his wife to behave herself quietly. His advice did not, however, appear to be listened to, as will be shown in the sequel.
"How came you on board, woman?" cried Vanslyperken, looking at her from top to toe several times, as usual, with his hands in his great-coat pockets, and his battered speaking-trumpet under his arm.
"How did I come on board! why, in a boat to be sure," replied Moggy, determined to have a breeze.
"Why did you not go on shore before the cutter sailed?" replied Vanslyperken, in an angry tone.
"Why, just for the contrary reason, because there was no boat."
"Well, I'll just tell you this, if ever I see you on board again, you'll take the consequences," retorted Vanslyperken.
"And I'll just tell you this," replied Moggy; "if ever you come on shore again you shall take the consequences. I'll have you–I give you warning. Flog my Jemmy, heh! my own dear darling Jemmy." Hereupon Moggy held out one arm bent, and with the palm of her other hand slapped her elbow–"There!" cried she.
What Jemmy's wife meant by this sign, it is impossible for us to say; but that it was a very significant one was certain, for Mr Vanslyperken foamed with rage, and all the cutter's crew were tittering and laughing. It was a species of free-masonry known only to the initiated at the Sallyport.
"Send the marines aft here. Take this woman below," cried Vanslyperken. "I shall put all this down to your husband's account, and give him a receipt in full, depend upon it."
"So you may. Marines, keep off, if you don't wish your heads broken; and I'll put all this down to your account; and as you say that you'll pay off on my pet, mark my words, if I don't pay off on yours–on your nasty cur there. I'll send him to cruise after Corporal Van Spitter. As sure as I stand here, if you dare to lay a finger on my Jemmy, I'll kill the brute wherever I find him, and make him into saussingers, just for the pleasure of eating him. I'll send you a pound as a present. You marine, don't be a fool–I can walk forward without your hoffering your arm, and be d–d to you." So saying, Moggy stalked forward and joined the men on the forecastle.
"D'ye know much of that strapping lass?" said Mr Vanslyperken's new acquaintance.
"Not I," replied Vanslyperken, not much pleased at the observation.
"Well, look out for squalls, she'll be as good as her word. We'll draw the foresheet, and stand in now, if you please."
It was about dusk, for the days were now short, and the cutter was eight miles off the land. By the directions of the informer, for we have no other name
