“Agreed!  But I warn you, and you must intimate the warning to your friends, if there is any attempt at deceiving me, or any reluctance shown at the other end to pay the balance of freight, I will steam off with the merchandise and the men you propose sending with me, and I don’t care to say what will become of them.”

“Shake hands,” said the wily agent; “and I give you my word of honour, which everybody trusts but you since you came this time, that there will be no trouble made.  Now come to the charthouse and take over the cash.”

This formality was speedily accomplished, though not without a further attempt to reduce the cash payment on the plea that it would endanger his professional reputation in the eyes of his commercial friends.

“I care nothing for your reputation,” murmured the candid sailor.  “What I want is two-thirds freight, so stump it all up, or I will have it taken from you and then hoist you into your boat.”

Whereupon the agent became afflicted with grief at his dear friend’s threatened cruelty.

“Really, my best friend, I must not give way here, but I will shed tears when I get to my silent home, and speak with myself of the change that has come to your mind.”

“Don’t you bother about shedding tears; you see that your friends play the game,” said the inexorable captain.  “I will carry out my part; but, by heavens! if your people don’t carry out theirs, you shall all pay dearly for it.”

“You are too excited on this occasion, my dear capitan, and for this I am sorry, as I like to see you as usual.  I tell you if they do not play the fair way, I will be responsible and be very vexed.”

“Shut up, you blatherskite; the cargo is all aboard.  Get into your boat quick, and remember what I have said to you when you can overcome the effects of your wriggling and dodging.  Your cargo can only be delivered on one condition.  Keep in mind what it is.  Begone, and never let me see your evil countenance again.”

Thus spoke the enterprising commander, who had begun to realize that he was having dealings with a gang whom he would have to fight in order to get his own.  The engines were put at full speed, and kept at that until she was fifty miles north-west of Cape Spartel, when they were slowed so that she might not arrive before the appointed time.  As the vessel trailed sinuously over the quiet sea, the captain’s thoughts were centred on material things and the reception he was likely to have on meeting the men his mind’s eye pictured as cut-throat ruffians.  He had several conferences with the interpreter, whose look and speech he regarded as a revelation of villainy.  He was tall and slim, with ricketty legs, dark shifty eyes, a low receding forehead, and a mouth and chin that indicated the animal.  The captain felt instinctively the approach of trouble, and frankly told the wretch, who he knew was deceiving him, that every bale of tobacco would be held until after the freight was paid over in gold sovereigns; and with an air of ostentatious authority he gave instructions to have all the muskets and revolvers loaded and ready in case they should be required.  The hideous scoundrel fixed his eye on the captain, and with ironic accent intimated he could not help being filled with concern when he heard the orders given to prepare the firearms.