"
"And I think that Mr. Oscard will be looking for you."
"And he won't need to look long, sir. But I should like to see you
safe on board the boat. Then I'm ready to go."
"Right. We can both leave by Thursday's boat, and we'll get the
captain to drop you and your men at Lopez. We can get things ready
by then, I think."
"Easy, sir."
The question thus settled, there seemed to be no necessity to
prolong the interview. But Joseph did not move. Meredith waited
patiently.
"I'll go up, sir, to the Platter," said the servant at length, "and
I'll place myself under Mr. Oscard's orders; but before I go I want
to give you notice of resignation. I resigns my partnership in this
'ere Simiacine at six months from to-day. It's a bit too hot, sir,
that's the truth. It's all very well for gentlemen like yourself
and Mr. Oscard, with fortunes and fine houses, and, as sayin' goes,
a wife apiece waiting for you at home--it's all very well for you to
go about in this blamed country, with yer life in yer hand, and not
a tight grip at that. But for a poor soldier-man like myself, what
has smelt the regulation powder all 'is life and hasn't got nothing
to love and no gal waiting for him at home--well, it isn't good
enough. That's what I say, sir, with respects."
He added the last two words by way of apology for having banged a
very solid fist on the table.
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