Page:Cup of Gold-1929.djvu/80

the little colonist gingerly felt his arms and shoulders.

"I might give ten," he said to the captain.

"Twelve!" the captain snapped.

"But do you really think he is worth it? I'm not a rich man, you see, and I just thought that ten-"

"Well, you may have him for eleven, but, as God sees me, he's worth more. Look at the knit of him and the broad shoulders. He won't die like so many. No, sir, he's worth more, but you may have him for eleven."

"Well, if you really think so," the planter said hesitantly; and he began pulling money out of his pockets, money that was mixed with tangled string, and pieces of chalk, and a bit of quill pen, and a broken key.

The master drew a paper from his pocket and showed it to the boy-an order of indenture for five years, with the name Henry Morgan nicely filled in, and the British seal at the bottom.

"But I don't want to be sold," cried Henry. "I didn't come to be sold. I want to make my fortune and be a sailor."

"So you shall," the master answered kindly, and though he gave permission, "after five years. Now go along with the gentleman and let us have no caterwauling. Do you think I could run this ship just bringing out boys that want to come to the Indies? You do your work and trust in God, and it may be a very good thing for you. Experience is never wasted on the sharp albeit humble soul." He