"And a heap more exciting," put in Johnny. "I went to one of them."
"Well, I wandered down to the shore, and looked out over the bay. It was full of shipping, riding high at anchor. I had an idea. I hired a boat for five dollars, and rowed out to some of the ships. Believe me or not, most of them were empty; not even a watchman aboard! I found some of the captains, however, and talked with each of them. They all told the same story."
"Crews skipped to the mines, I suppose?" said Yank.
"Exactly. And they _couldn't_ get any more. So I offered to hire a few of them."
"But if the captains can't get crews----"
"Oh, I don't want to sail them," went on Talbot impatiently. "It was hard work getting them to agree; they all cherished notions they could get crews and go sailing some more--good old salts! But I hired four, at last. Had to take them for only a month, however; and had to pay them in advance five hundred apiece."
"I beg pardon," said Johnny softly, "for interrupting your pleasing tale; but the last item interested me. I do not know whether I quite heard it right."
"Oh, shut up, Johnny," said Yank; "let the man tell his story. Of course he didn't have the money in his pocket. How did you get it, Tal?"
"I told them I'd pay them at four o'clock which gave me plenty of time."
"Two thousand dollars--oh, of course!" murmured Johnny.
"So then," continued Talbot, "I hustled ashore; and went to see some of my merchant friends. In two hours I had contracts with twelve of them that totalled six thousand dollars."
"Why didn't some of them go out and hire ships on their own account?" asked Yank shrewdly.
"Because I didn't mention the word 'ship' until I had their business," said Talbot. "I just guaranteed them storage, waterproof, practically fireproof, dustproof, and within twenty-four hours. I guess most of them thought I was crazy. But as it didn't cost them anything, they were willing to take a chance."
"Then you didn't raise your ten thousand dollars from them in advance payments!" I marvelled.
"Certainly not. That would have scared off the whole lot of them. But I got their agreements; I told you it took me two hours. Then I walked up the street figuring where I'd get the money. Of course I saw I'd have to divide the profits. I didn't know anybody; but after a while I decided that the best chance was to get some advice from honest and disinterested man. So I asked the first man I met who ran the biggest gambling place in town. He told me Jim Recket."