Читать книгу Seibert of the Island онлайн

57 страница из 85

Mr. Penwenn was remarkably easy to interest. He spoke of his pleasure in taking a chance on out-of-the-way ventures. His father and grandfather, he said, had put ships to sea. It was in his blood.

Mr. Penwenn's interest soon grew to enthusiasm. The next time that Williams called he was even more cordial, and extended an invitation to dinner, hinting that it would be a lively dinner; and Williams, with no grace at all, refused.

To bind the bargain between them, Penwenn gave a cheque and took the pearls; this was accepted, cashed, supplies bought for the Islander, and the remainder of the money Williams threw into the desk drawer.

Penwenn had said that they would have to wait until the Molly McDonald, overdue with grain and wool, from Sydney, arrived. She would be the ship for the clean-up.

Williams had waited; and McGuire, dipping from time to time into the drawer, loafed about and drank more than would have been good for two men.

This very day the Molly McDonald had come. A Penwenn tug met her outside the bay, took her by the nose, and, impatiently hustling her through the Golden Gate, shoved and bumped her into the dock where she belonged, and, lazy hussy, should have been long before.