Hawkwood wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the light, but there appeared to be something approaching a smile of welcome on Stagg’s face. He did not rise to greet them but remained seated, dismissing his crewman with orders to ready the boat for departure. As soon as they were alone, he came straight to the point.

“You have the fee?” Shadows played across his expectant face.

Hawkwood dug out a bag from his coat pocket. “Sixty dollars. Thirty Spanish, the rest in English guineas. I trust that meets with your approval?”

“It will when I’ve counted it.” Stagg held out his hand.

Hawkwood and Lawrence watched as the coins were emptied out of the bag and tallied. When he’d confirmed the amount, Stagg slid the coins back into the bag, pulled the drawstring tight and slipped the lot inside his waistcoat.

Only then did the smile reach his eyes. “Welcome aboard, gents! Nice to have you with us!”

His eyes switched to the musket slung over Lawrence’s shoulder. “Expectin’ trouble, Mr Jones?”

“Family heirloom,” Lawrence responded blithely. “Belonged to my father. Feel quite naked without it.”

Stagg’s eyes moved to Hawkwood.

“Oh, he’s the marksman,” Hawkwood said.

Stagg frowned and then nodded assent. “Aye, well if we need food for the pot, I’ll give you a shout. As for the accommodation, if you were expecting your own cabin you’re in for a disappointment. Sixty dollars may have bought you passage but it ain’t bought any home comforts. You’ll be bunking down with the crew. There are six of us and there’ll always be at least two on deck, so there’s a pit each. As far as your bellies are concerned, you’ll eat when we eat. There’re no guest privileges here.”

“How long’s the journey likely to take?” Lawrence asked.

“We won’t be callin’ in anywhere, so three days, with a fair wind. Four at the outside.” Stagg got to his feet. “Remember, gentlemen, Snake’s a working boat, so try not to get under our feet,” he added drily.

Having launched his parting shot, he left the cabin.

Lawrence turned. “Is it my imagination, or has our captain mellowed since last we spoke?”

“I suspect our sixty dollars has had some influence in that regard,” Hawkwood said. “Though I doubt we’ll be singing sea shanties together any time soon.”

Lawrence smiled. “Ah, well, better a grin than a grimace, eh?”

They stowed the knapsacks and the musket in a couple of the cubbyholes and followed Stagg on deck. By this time Snake had slipped her mooring and was being pushed clear of the jetty.