I have only my little craft and a handful of seamen picked up at odd prices.

But there's gold and silver enough I know of, owned by no man, to make cargo and ballast for the Nell Gwynn, or another twice her size." "Gold and silver," said the governor, cocking his ear and eyeing his visitor up and down.

Colonel Nicholls had an acquisitive instinct; he was interested.

"Well, well, gold and silver," he continued, "to fill the Nell Gwynn and another! And what concern is that of mine?
Let your words come plain off your tongue; I have no time for foolery." "'Tis no foolery on my tongue, sir, as you may please to see." He drew a paper from his pocket and shook it out as he came a little nearer, speaking all the while.

His voice had gone low, running to a soft kind of chuckle, and his eyes were snapping with fire, which Iberville alone had seen was false.