handkerchief. The long stupid wrinkles ran up Davis's brow, as he saw

it. What should it contain? He could think of nothing more recondite

than a revolver.

Huish resumed his seat.

'Now,' said he, 'are you man enough to take charge of 'Errick and the

niggers? Because I'll take care of Hattwater.'

'How?' cried Davis. 'You can't!'

'Tut, tut!' said the clerk. 'You gimme time. Wot's the first point? The

first point is that we can't get ashore, and I'll make you a present of

that for a 'ard one. But 'ow about a flag of truce? Would that do the

trick, d'ye think? or would Attwater simply blyze aw'y at us in the

bloomin' boat like dawgs?'

'No,' said Davis, 'I don't believe he would.'

'No more do I,' said Huish; 'I don't believe he would either; and I'm

sure I 'ope he won't! So then you can call us ashore. Next point is

to get near the managin' direction. And for that I'm going to 'ave you

write a letter, in w'ich you s'y you're ashamed to meet his eye, and

that the bearer, Mr J. L. 'Uish, is empowered to represent you. Armed

with w'ich seemin'ly simple expedient, Mr J. L. 'Uish will proceed to

business.'

176

The Ebb-Tide