Burke and Schencke were
the loudest talkers, for we were both bound to Falmouth "for orders,"
and the _Rickmers_ would probably sail three days after we had gone.
"Vat 'bout dot bett you make mit me, Cabtin?" said Schenke. "Dot is
all recht, no?"
"Oh, yess," answered the old man, but without enthusiasm. "That
stands."
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Tventig dollars to feefty--dot you goes home quicker
as me, no?" Schencke turned to the other men. "Vat you tinks,
yenthelmen? Ah tinks Ah sbend der tventig dollars now--so sure Ah
vass."
The others laughed. "Man, man," said Findlayson of the _Rhondda_.
"You don't tell me Burke's been fool enough to take that bet. Hoo!
You haven't the ghost of a chance, Burke."
"Och, ye never know," said the now doleful sportsman. "Ye never know
ye're luck."
"Look here, Cabtin," said Schencke (good-humoured by the unspoken
tribute to his vessel's sailing powers)--"Ah gif you a chanst. Ah make
de bett dis vay--look. Ve goes to Falmouth--you _und_ me, _hein_?
Now, de first who comes on de shore vins de money. Dot vill gif you
t'ree days' start, no?"
"That's more like it," said the other captains. "I wish you luck,
Burke," said Findlayson.
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