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 ordinary way, but when I do set my teeth into a thing it takes a whole lot to get 'em out again. I 'll tell you what I would be very glad to do, though. We want a boat. You know that. Let us have yours for the trip, and in return we will pay you whatever you think is reasonable for the hire of it. And on the top of that, we 'll undertake to hand over a thousand dollars more in case we are successful. Are you agreeable?"

The discussion of high finance evidently made Joe Flagg perspire more than ever. He mopped his brow industriously, but shook his head.

"No, sir," he said. "Nobody goes off in the Firefly except when I'm in her. I 've allus made that a rule, and I allus shall. I come in as a partner for a third of the spoil, or the Firefly stops where she is."

"Then there is nothing more to be said on the subject, Mr. Flagg, and I'm sorry we can't do business with you," said Tempest, with an air of finality.