Page:Morley roberts--Blue Peter--sea yarns.djvu/88

72 But he hated Brogger, who had injured his prestige once before by taking out of Portland every man he brought into it, and he was curious besides.

"Suppose I'd like to do him up complete-ly," said Lant, staring at Eales hard.

"And make 'im fair redik'lus and the laughin' stock of the 'ole coast?"

"That would suit me," said Lant. "It would fit me like a dandy suit of clothes."

"’E's the nastiest, meanest skipper as ever lay in the Willamette; ain't 'e, Corlett?"

"I never 'eard of a measlier," said Corlett, looking for a cuspidor in order to accentuate his verdict.

"Then 'ere's for tellin' Mr. Lant the 'ole thing," said Eales desperately. And when he was 'through' with his scheme, Lant lay back in his chair and laughed till he cried.

"It's great," he said, "it's great. Holy Mackinaw, it's great! And you say he's no seaman?"

"’E ain't even a thing in place of it, sir," said Eales.

"And you really won't drink?"

Eales looked at Corlett, and Corlett looked at Ealse [sic].