Sayfa 211 / 416

Code knew that in the French island herring seldom went below

three dollars a barrel, and that the smallest amount he ought to

buy would be twenty-five barrels. Later on, if the fishing was

good, he might send out a party to set the seines, but not now.

He must buy. But the money!

Then he thought of the packet of money Elsa Mallaby had sent him.

The cash was meant for any sailor who came to need it.

And the men with him were willing to fight to the last ditch and

to take their lot ungrumblingly as fishermen early learn to do.

If he starved, they starved. So he decided he would not hesitate

to use Elsa's money when a dozen men and their families were

dependent upon him and the success of the cruise.

Thus the matter was settled and the order roared down the decks:

"Set every stitch for St. Pierre; we're going to bait up there.

Lively, now!"