"From what I've heard of your talk in prayer-meeting I should think
you'd advise moral suasion," suggested Captain Candage, plainly
relishing this opportunity to "bingdoodle."
"I use common sense, whether it's in religion or politics or business,"
snapped Rowley, exhibiting a bit of un-Christian heat.
"It's advisable to ile up common sense with a little charity, and then
the machine won't squeak so bad."
"I wouldn't undertake to trot a dogfish on my knee or sing him to sleep
with a pennyr'yal hymn, Captain Candage."
"I think we can show results without the club," interposed Mayo, with
mild intent to smooth the tone of this repartee.
The clerk called Mr. Rowley out into the store on some matter of special
importance, and the selectman departed, coming down rather hard on his
heels.
"The old Adam sort of torches up through his shell once in a while,"
commented Candage.
"We'd better settle the charter price, sir, before you lay aboard him
too much," advised the young man.
"I just natch'ally can't help harpooning him," confessed the skipper.
"He's a darned old hypocrite, cheating widders and orphans by choice
because they 'ain't got the spunk to razoo back, and I've allus enjoyed
fighting such as him. Him and me is due for a row. But I'll hold off the
best I can till we have got him beat down."
Mayo's plan involved the modest venture of chartering a craft suitable
for fishing. There was no material for real Banksmen in the Hue and Cry
colony, but the run of the men would serve to go trawling for ground and
shack fish a few miles off the coast. It was the only scheme which
would afford employment for the whole body of dependents; older and more
decrepit men and the women and children could dig and shuck clams for
the trawl bait. In order to encourage ambition and independence among
the abler men of the colony, Mayo suggested that the fishermen be taken
on shares, and Captain Candage agreed.
When Mr. Rowley came back into the office he found his match waiting for
him in the person of Captain Candage, primed and ready to drive a sharp
bargain. At the end of an hour papers representing the charter of the
Ethel and May were turned over.
"I reckon it's a good job," affirmed the skipper, when he and Mayo
were outside the Rowley store. "I have made up my mind to let poor
old Polly go to Davy Jones's locker. I wrote to the shippers and the
consignees of the lumber last night. If they want it they can go after
it. I may as well fish for the rest of this season!" He regarded Captain
Mayo with eyes in which query was almost wistftul. "Of course, you can
depend on me to see to it that you get your share, sir, just as if you
were aboard."