Examining the case, he saw that it had once been a Bible, but that a hole had been cut in the centre of each leaf, the remainder at infinite labour having; been fastened together securely.
There was nothing to keep him after this discovery. Leaving the book on the floor, in close proximity to its sleeping owner, he pocketed the bag, then stepped out on the beaten trail and made for his lodgings. On this occasion he reached them without incident.
The Captain turned his head slowly, then drew the short stone pipe from his mouth.
Dave came leisurely across the grass space.
'Call it day after, and I'll come,' said the Factor.
The Captain looked surprised. 'How'll you manage, Alf?'
'Don't tell you everything, Davey. I've got my leave all right. Justin can fix things while I'm away. Goldam! it's time I had a bit of a rip up.'
'You can, Dave. Just think a while. You're on good time this trip. A day this way or that won't go for anything. I'll fix it up for you, Dave. The skins weren't quite ready to be shipped; the darned old boat wanted some pitch on her side--scraped her over a sunk rock, you know, Dave. Lots of easy lies, if you like to make them. I can fix five first-classers while you're thinking out one hoodoo, Dave.'
'You can't by a jugful,'said the Captain, hotly. 'I've more practice than you, Alf. There's generally something to reckon for, end of the trip. Tell you, it strains a fellow's invention pretty hard sometimes.'
'See here, Dave. Early morning, Thursday, we start south.'
'Suppose it wouldn't make such a lot of difference, anyway.'
'Course it won't. You don't get me for a passenger every trip, Dave.'
'That's so. There'll be another beside you, though.'
'Who? There's nobody round here, far as I know.'
'Someone's going all the same. She's under my protection, too.'
Dave nodded. 'Mrs Spencer that's going to be.'
'You're fooling, Dave. She hasn't got the stuff to pay her passage.'
'We've fixed that. Tell you, I'm looking after her.'
'But she's not going to hitch on with you?'
'That's what,' said the Captain, stolidly. She's been after me for a long time. Reckon she's caught me at last.' He sighed with an air of resignation.
McAuliffe burst into a lusty laugh and slapped his knee repeatedly. Then his great face suddenly grew grave, as he thought on the darker side of the picture. What could have induced the heart-stricken girl to a promise of marriage with the ugly little Captain? Perhaps she had lost all sense and reason, poor girl. Then he said, 'Tell how you managed it, Dave.'