When I asked the agents to arrange with the captain they seemed non-committal and uncomfortable.

"I don't know in the least what it is worth," I said.

"And I don't care.

Whether it costs one hundred and fifty dollars or five hundred, I must have those quarters." Harrison and Gray, the agents, debated silently with each other and scarcely thought Captain West would see his way to the arrangement.

"Then he is the first sea captain I ever heard of that wouldn't," I asserted confidently.