“A good round sum,” he replied.  “More than you ever made before, I warrant, not excepting the promises made you in this Henley will case.  We ’ll talk the details over later.”

“Who is responsible for my pay?”

“See here, Craig, the case stands like this.  The revolutionists down there asked me to find them a competent drill-master, and they will pay royally.  They ’ve got the money, too, scads of it.  There will be no trouble on that score.  Besides, I need a reliable man ashore to look after shipments.  We have to land our goods in a hurry, you understand, at night, without checking up.  I can afford to hand you something pretty nice on the side to assure myself a square deal.  I had a fellow picked out for the berth—­a retired German officer—–­but he failed to show up when we sailed.  Now I have run across you I am damned glad he did.  You are more the style of man I want.  Come, now, I don’t believe you can afford to turn this offer down.”

“It looks good,” I confessed, but still hesitating.  “Only I shall have to have it in writing, and more in detail.”

“We’ll talk that over in the morning; it’s late now.  Take the third stateroom starboard:  it’s all ready for you.”

“Then I am no longer to consider myself a prisoner onboard?”

“Certainly not.  Practically you are one of us.”

“And I have the freedom of the deck?”

He smiled grimly, gazing intently at me.

“That is safe enough, I reckon, even if I questioned your interest in this adventure.  There must be ten miles of water already between us and the coast.  There are no limits on your liberty, but I would n’t advise your going forward at present—­not until the men understand the situation—­they ’re a hard lot.”

“Revolutionists?”

“Hell, no; plain New Orleans wharf rats, the scouring of the Seven Seas.”

“Who is first mate—­the German?”

“Yes, Herman, a fine sailor; was with the Hamburg people until he had a wreck.  The Creole Broussard is second, and the two of them together could tame a cargo of wild-cats.  Is that all, Craig?”

“All at present.”

“Good night then; think this over, and we ’ll have another talk tomorrow.  The third starboard stateroom is yours.”

I took his hand, feeling the sinewy grip of his lean, brown fingers, and turned to the door, cursing myself under my breath for a weakling, and yet utterly unable to perceive how I could choose otherwise.  The single lamp in the main cabin was turned low, only faintly illuminating the interior.  In the quiet I could feel the movement of the vessel, and realized there was some sea on, although the engines were being operated only at half speed.  This seemed odd, if speed was desirable, as I supposed it must be on a voyage of this nature.  However that was none of my affair, and, heaven knows, I had enough to consider in my own situation.  I was not in the least