It would need a high bribe to induce anybody to run such a risk as that." This was so evident that there was silence for two or three minutes, then Captain Vipon spoke again.

"I have a man who would be more likely to do it than any one else I think, because he has taken a strong fancy to this young English boy.

He is a good hand, and I don't like losing him; still the thing is so important that I should not hesitate at that.

Still we must offer him something good to run the risk, or rather the certainty of imprisonment.

I propose that his name shall be put down on the books of all three ships, so that if he ever gets back to France again he will have a fair certainty of a good lot of prize money, for it will be hard luck if two out of the three of us do not manage to get back safely." The other captains agreed to this.
"He will be here in half an hour," Captain Vipon said.