into the cabin, though they’re black an’ naked, an’ the smell ain’t over an’ above pleasant.  Then I out with the rum and it’s ’help yourself an’ pass the bottle.’  Pretty soon, d’ye see, their tongues get loosened, and as I lie low an’ keep dark I gets a pretty good idea o’ what’s in the market.  Then when I knows what’s to be got, it’s queer if I don’t manage to get it.  Besides, they like a little notice, just as Christians does, and they remembers me because I treat them well.”

“An excellent plan, Miggs—­a capital plan!” said the senior partner.  “You are an invaluable servant.”

“Well,” the captain said, rising from his chair, “I’m getting a great deal too dry with all this palaver.  I don’t mind gettin’ drunk with nigger chiefs, but I’m darned if I’ll—­” He paused, but the grim smile on his companion’s face showed that he appreciated the compliment.

“I say,” he continued, giving his employer a confidential nudge with his elbow, “suppose we’d gone down in the bay this last time, you’d ha’ been a bit out in your reckoning—­eh, what?”

“Why so?”

“Well, we were over-insured on our outward passage.  An accident then might ha’ put thousands in your pocket, I know.  Coming back, though, the cargo was worth more than the insurance, I reckon.  You’d ha’ been out o’ pocket if we’d foundered.  It would ha’ been a case o’ the engineer hoisted on his own Peter, as Shakspere says.”

“We take our chance of these things,” the merchant said with dignity.

“Well, good morning, guv’nor,” Captain Hamilton Miggs said brusquely.  “When you wants me you can lay your hands on me at the old crib, the Cock and Cowslip, Rotherhithe.”

As he passed out through the office, Ezra rejoined his father.

“He’s a curious chap,” he remarked, jerking his head in the direction which Miggs had taken.  “I heard him bellowing like a bull, so I thought I had best listen to what he had to say.  He’s a useful servant, though.”

“The fellow’s half a savage himself,” his father said.  “He’s in his element among them.  That’s why he gets on so well with them.”

“He doesn’t seem much the worse for the climate, either.”

“His body does not, but his soul, Ezra, his soul?  However, to return to business.  I wish you to see the underwriters and pay the premium of the Black Eagle.  If you see your way to it, increase the policy; but do it carefully, Ezra, and with tact.  She will start about the time of the equinoctial gales.  If anything should happen to her, it would be as well that the firm should have a margin on the right side.”

CHAPTER V.

MODERN ATHENIANS.