Chapter 53

Welper, slightly intoxicated, looked around at the Bonnet Bay man gravely, out of eyes no longer focussed: “M—m, certainly,” he muttered; “what’s it all about?” “Loveless folk, yon, is started dredgin’, same as we uns!” shouted Mewling. “They’s took to dredgin’ by splinter-light at night! An’ they ain’t a-dredgin’ oysters!” “Let ’em dredge,” retorted Welper, owlishly. “We’ve got the _Red Moon_.” Renton, paler for the fiery drink in him, but with clearer head than Welper, came unsteadily over to where Mewling stood …