I hav' been with heem there," his
brown hand outstretched landward, "where we got you, hey, many the
time; besides, the Judge he been on zis sheep. Of course he was son;
why you think not?"
I shook my head, unwilling to discuss the affair with the fellow, yet
impressed by his statement.
"I am beginning to believe I do not know very much about it,
Broussard," I explained briefly, moving aside to the rail. "I came
down South with another story pumped into me, that's all."
"And ze young woman," he persisted, following me closely, "why she
come?"
"For the same reason I did."
He laughed, his eyes sparkling.
"More like 'cause she love you, hey! Sacre, she was fine-lookin' girl,
but," shrugging his shoulders, "'t is the Capitaine, not ze mate, who
may admire."
I turned on the fellow, my blood boiling.
"What do you mean by that! That Henley will dare intrude himself?"
"_Sacre_, an' why not, M'sieur! He is ze Capitaine; nobody tell him
not on ze _Sea Gull_. I know him seek, eight year, an' he devil with
women. She not ze furst to be on board ze sheep. Zar no use you be
mad, M'sieur; he laugh at you."
"Then for once he will laugh at the wrong man, Broussard," I said
soberly. Regretting the threat even as I uttered it, I left him and
walked aft, aware as I turned of the sneer on his face.
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