human
I haven't come to surrender, he said,
gpt
M'sieu', Joan said grandly,
human
Well, by the Lord, but you're a swashbuckler, Joan--
gpt
M'sieu'--
human
Oh, nonsense! I tell you, nonsense! Let's have over with this, my girl. You're the cleverest woman on the continent, but there's a limit to everything. Here, tell me now, and if you answer me straight I'll say no more.
gpt
M'sieu', I am here to consider conditions, not to--
human
Oh, for God's sake, Joan! Tell me now, have you got anything contraband on board? There'll be a nasty mess about the thing, for me and all of us, and why can't we compromise? I tell you honestly we'd have come on, if I hadn't seen you aboard.
gpt
My poor m'sieu'! You have such bad luck. Contraband? Let me see? Liquors and wines and tobacco are contraband. Is it not so?
human
Is money--gold--contraband?
gpt
Money? No; of course not, and you know it. Why won't you be sensible? You're getting me into a bad hole, and--
human
I want to see how you'll come out. If you come out well--
gpt
Yes, if I come out well--
human
If you come out very well, and we do not sink you before supper, I may ask you to come and see me.
gpt
H'm! Is that all? After spoiling my reputation, I'm to be let come and see you.
human
Isn't that enough to start with? What has spoiled your reputation?
gpt
A man, a boy, and a slip of a girl. He looked meaningly enough at her now. She laughed.
human
See, he added;
gpt
I've told you what there is.
human
Will you let me search? Joan's eyes flashed.
gpt
Once and for all, no, Orvay Lafarge. I am the daughter of a man whom you and your men would have killed or put in the dock. He's been a smuggler, and I know it. Who has he robbed? Not the poor, not the needy; but a rich Government that robs also. Well, in the hour when he ceases to be a smuggler for ever, armed men come to take him. Why didn't they do so before? Why so pious all at once? No; I am first the daughter of my father, and afterwards--
human
And afterwards?
gpt
What to-morrow may bring forth.
human
I must go back. Mr. Martin is signalling, and your father is calling. I do not understand, but you're the one woman in the world for my money, and I'm ready to stand by that and leave the customs to-morrow if need be.
gpt
Leave it to-day. Leave it now. Yes; that's my one condition. If you want me, and you say you do, come aboard the Ninety-Nine, and for to-day be one of us-to-morrow what you will.
human
What I will? What I will, Joan? Do you mean it?
gpt
Yes. Pshaw! Your duty? Don't I know how the Ministers and the officers have done their duty at Quebec? It's all nonsense. You must make your choice once for all now.
human
Joan, I'll do it. I'd go hunting in hell at your bidding. But see. Everything's changed. I couldn't fight against you, but I can fight for you. All must be open now. You've said there's no contraband. Well, I'll tell Mr. Martin so, but I'll tell him also that you've only a crew of two--
gpt
Of three, now!
human
Of three! I will do my duty in that, then resign and come over to you, if I can.
gpt
I can't tell what they may do. But I must deal fair.
human
Very well, I will wait for you here.
gpt
They might hit you.
human
But no. They can't hit a wall. Go on, my dear. They saluted, and, as Lafarge turned away, Joan said, with a little mocking laugh,
gpt
Tell him that he must surrender, or we'll sink him before supper.
human
Coward-we'll sink you before supper!