diff options
Diffstat (limited to '24631-8.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 24631-8.txt | 7981 |
1 files changed, 7981 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/24631-8.txt b/24631-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e75d0eb --- /dev/null +++ b/24631-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7981 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Freaks of Fortune, by Oliver Optic + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Freaks of Fortune + or, Half Round the World + +Author: Oliver Optic + +Release Date: February 16, 2008 [EBook #24631] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FREAKS OF FORTUNE *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from scans of public domain material produced by +Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.) + + + + + + +STARRY FLAG SERIES + +OLIVER OPTIC + +[Illustration: THE WRECK OF THE CARIBBEE.--Page 273.] + + + + +FREAKS OF FORTUNE; + +OR, + +HALF ROUND THE WORLD. + + + +BY + +OLIVER OPTIC, + +AUTHOR OF "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES," +"THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES," +"THE RIVERDALE STORIES," ETC. + + + +BOSTON +LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by +WILLIAM T. ADAMS, +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court +of the District of Massachusetts. + +COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY WILLIAM T. ADAMS, +All rights reserved. + +FREAKS OF FORTUNE. + + + + +TO + +MY YOUNG FRIEND, + +_THOMAS POWELL, JR._ + +This Book + +IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +"FREAKS OF FORTUNE" is the fourth of the serial stories published in +"OUR BOYS AND GIRLS." It was written in response to a great number of +calls for a sequel to "THE STARRY FLAG." The author was pleased to +learn that Levi Fairfield had made so pleasant an impression upon his +young friends, and the gratifying reception extended to him in the +present story, as it appeared in the Magazine, was quite as flattering +to the writer as to Levi himself. When a good boy, like the hero of +"The Starry Flag," is regarded with so much kindly interest by our boys +and girls, it is convincing evidence that they have the capacity to +appreciate noble conduct, daring deeds, and a true life. + +The author is not disposed to apologize for the "exciting" element--as +some have been pleased to denominate it--of this and others of his +stories. If goodness and truth have been cast down, if vice and sin +have been raised up, in the story, an explanation would not, and ought +not to, atone for the crime. The writer degrades no saints, he +canonizes no villains. He believes that his young friends admire and +love the youthful heroes of the story because they are good and true, +because they are noble and self-sacrificing, and because they are +generous and courageous, and not merely because they engage in stirring +adventures. Exciting the youthful mind in the right direction is one +thing; exciting it in the wrong direction is quite another thing. + +Once more it becomes the writer's pleasant duty to acknowledge the +kindness of his young friends, as well as of very many parents and +guardians, who have so often and so freely expressed their approbation +of his efforts to please his readers. He has been continually cheered +by their kind letters, and by their constant favor, however manifested; +and he cannot help wondering that one who deserves so little should +receive so much. + + WILLIAM T. ADAMS. + +HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., + +July 27, 1868. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + +CHAPTER I. + THREE YEARS AFTER. 11 + +CHAPTER II. + FIRE. 21 + +CHAPTER III. + THE HOLE IN THE WALL. 31 + +CHAPTER IV. + THE PLANK OVER THE CHASM. 42 + +CHAPTER V. + AN INDUCTIVE ARGUMENT. 53 + +CHAPTER VI. + THE STARRY FLAG. 64 + +CHAPTER VII. + GRAVE CHARGES. 75 + +CHAPTER VIII. + CONSTABLE COOKE. 86 + +CHAPTER IX. + THE EXAMINATION. 97 + +CHAPTER X. + MR. C. AUGUSTUS EBÉNIER. 108 + +CHAPTER XI. + THE RESULT OF THE EXAMINATION. 119 + +CHAPTER XII. + HOTEL DE POISSON. 130 + +CHAPTER XIII. + "OFT FROM APPARENT ILLS." 141 + +CHAPTER XIV. + "LOSE HIS OWN SOUL." 151 + +CHAPTER XV. + ANOTHER LITTLE PLAN. 161 + +CHAPTER XVI. + PISTOLS FOR TWO. 173 + +CHAPTER XVII. + THE GOLD RESTORED. 184 + +CHAPTER XVIII. + MAT MOGMORE. 195 + +CHAPTER XIX. + THE CARIBBEE. 207 + +CHAPTER XX. + DOCK VINCENT'S LETTER. 219 + +CHAPTER XXI. + THE CARIBBEE SAILS FOR AUSTRALIA. 230 + +CHAPTER XXII. + THE TRAVELLER WHO LOST HIS WAY. 241 + +CHAPTER XXIII. + OFF SANDY HOOK. 253 + +CHAPTER XXIV. + HALF ROUND THE WORLD. 264 + +CHAPTER XXV. + A HAPPY REUNION. 275 + +CHAPTER XXVI. + CONCLUSION. 287 + + + + +FREAKS OF FORTUNE; + +OR, + +HALF ROUND THE WORLD. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THREE YEARS AFTER. + + +"This is the spot, Bessie," said Levi Fairfield, as he paused on the +bank of the brook which flows into the bay near Mike's Point. + +"But what was the thing you made?" asked Bessie Watson, as she looked +with interest at the place indicated, though she could not see anything +very remarkable, or even strange. + +"It was a young saw-mill," laughed Levi. "It rested on those flat +stones you see there; but the dam is entirely washed away. I made it in +Mr. Mogmore's carpenter's shop, near uncle Nathan's house. After a deal +of fussing and tinkering, I got it so that it sawed through a board two +feet long from one end to the other. It was the proudest day of my life +when I showed Mr. Mogmore the two parts, separated by my machine; and +he declared I should make a good machinist." + +"Where is the saw-mill now?" inquired Bessie, interested in the machine +because it had been made by Levi, rather than because she had a taste +for mechanics. + +"It is up in the attic of uncle Nathan's house; at least it was there +three years ago, when I went to live with Mr. Gayles." + +"I should really like to see it." + +"Should you? Well, you shall, if the thing is still in being. I will go +down to uncle Nathan's and get it, and then I will set it up, and you +shall see it go," answered Levi, as he led the way towards the house of +his uncle. + +The water privilege which Levi Fairfield, as a boy of thirteen, had +improved, was located on the brook behind the cottage of Mr. Mogmore. +Bessie did not care to meet uncle Nathan; so she decided to call upon +the carpenter's family; for, having spent three seasons at Rockport, +she was well acquainted in several families near her father's new +house, which was on the shore, not far from Mike's Point. + +Bessie--or, as we ought to call her now, Miss Watson, though it does +not sound half so pleasant to the ear, and Levi had been several times +reproved for addressing her in this formal manner--Miss Watson was +"sweet sixteen," or so near it that we give her the full benefit of the +majority fraction. If she was pretty at twelve, she was beautiful at +sixteen. She was rather tall for her age, but exceedingly well formed. +She had spent much of her time in the open air, and on her cheeks +glowed the roses of health. + +Mrs. McGilvery, a widowed sister of Mr. Watson, who had been the +principal of a young ladies' seminary before her marriage, was +intrusted with the care of her niece's education. Though Bessie +attended school while in the city, yet she was absent four months in +the year, during three of which she studied with her governess, on the +sea-shore. Fortunately for Bessie, Mrs. McGilvery was an amphibious +lady, and was always ready for a trip in The Starry Flag, Levi +Fairfield's well-tried craft. She had a taste for yachts, not only in +pleasant weather, and on a smooth sea, but when the wind blew anything +short of a gale, and the white caps whipped over the gunwale of the +boat. Bessie, therefore, was frequently on the salt water with her +_duenna_, and her constitution had been wonderfully strengthened by +this healthful exercise. + +Levi Fairfield and The Starry Flag were in demand almost every day; and +we need not add that the young skipper did not regard himself as a +martyr in the cause. Though the excursions to Halibut Point, +Straitsmouth, the Selvages, and other places in the vicinity, were +frequently repeated, he was never happier than when at the helm with +Bessie and Mrs. McGilvery on board; not particularly on account of the +latter, though he was quite a favorite with her. + +Levi left Miss Watson at the door of Mr. Mogmore's cottage, and walked +over to uncle Nathan's house. Three years had not improved the +appearance of the miser's house, for he spent no money upon it in paint +and repairs. When anything about the building caved in, as it +frequently did, he tinkered it himself. If time had not improved uncle +Nathan or his house, it had improved Levi. He was nearly eighteen, was +"man grown," strong as a lion, and agile as a deer. Within the +preceding three years he had made two fishing trips, though most of his +time had been spent at the academy. + +He entered his uncle's house. Though his visits, like angels', had been +few and far between, they were not so because Levi cherished any ill +will towards his former guardian, but because he had been made to feel +that he was not a welcome guest. Uncle Nathan never felt right after +his removal from the position of guardian of his nephew. The care of +the money was taken from him, and he was deprived of the profits he +derived from boarding and clothing his ward. He realized that money had +been taken out of his pocket by the spirited conduct of Levi; and +taking money out of the miser's pocket was the sorest injury that could +be inflicted upon him. + +But Levi behaved like a Christian. He did not forget that his uncle and +aunt lived in that old and dilapidated house, and he did his best to +keep the peace with them. In the most literal manner he returned good +for evil. It is true he could not respect his uncle, or get up a very +warm regard for him,--he was too mean, selfish, and unprincipled to win +the respect and regard of any decent person,--but he could treat him +with Christian kindness. + +Mr. Gayles, since he had been Levi's guardian, had, by the advice of +Mr. Watson, given his ward a regular allowance of five dollars a week +for pocket money, independent of his actual expenses for clothing +himself. This money was spent in books, in improvements on The Starry +Flag, in charity, and for other proper purposes. Not a cent of it ever +went to the keeper of a grog-shop, billiard-saloon, or other place +which a young man should avoid; but not a little of it, in one way and +another, found its way into the comfortless abode of uncle Nathan. + +Though his aunt, by the force of circumstances, had become almost as +mean as her husband, she was not a bad woman in other respects, and +Levi had considerable regard for her. She had but few joys in this +world, and one of them was reading the newspaper, when she was so +fortunate as to procure one, which was but seldom. Levi subscribed for +the Boston Journal for her, which came every day, and for a weekly +religious newspaper. The old lady had a splendid time every afternoon +reading her paper, and enjoyed a "rich season" every "Sabba' day" over +her Sunday paper. + +Levi did more than this. He not only carried to the house a great many +fish he caught himself, but a leg of veal or lamb, a roasting-piece of +beef, a pair of chickens, or a turkey was not unfrequently laid upon +the kitchen table by him. Uncle Nathan ate the roast beef, the turkeys, +and the chickens, but he hated the giver none the less. It was a +shameful waste of money to buy such things; and these delicacies +reminded him of the dollars and half dollars that had slipped away from +him when he lost Levi, rather than the kindness and Christian charity +of the young man in presenting them. + +It was not so with Mrs. Fairfield, though the savage flings and unkind +allusions of her husband to his nephew were not without their influence +upon her. She could not help feeling a great regard for the donor of +the newspapers, and the substantials which gave the table such an +unwonted attractiveness. As far as her dull nature would permit, she +appreciated the kindness and good will of Levi. It is true that on +several occasions uncle Nathan had sold the turkeys, chickens, and +roasting-pieces his late ward had given him; yet it had never been +without a protest on the part of aunt Susan. It was an awful waste for +him to eat these luxuries; but selling the gifts of Levi was monstrous +to her, and her protest was so energetic that she carried her point, +and the miser was compelled to eat food which was so costly that it +almost choked him. + +Uncle Nathan did not get fat on the bounty of his liberal nephew. He +had too many corroding cares, too many financial terrors, too many +fears that the banks would break, his creditors fail, his stocks +depreciate, to eat and sleep like a Christian. Misers never grow +liberal as they grow old, and he was no exception to the rule. A +financial panic had just swept over the land, and though he had lost +nothing by it, it caused him more anguish than thousands who had lost +their all. He was afraid of banks, afraid of men, afraid even of good +mortgages on productive real estate. He dreaded some calamity he could +not define, which would wrest from him every dollar he had in the +world. + +To guard against this horrible event, he had actually converted some of +the less reliable of his securities into gold, and concealed it in his +house, preferring to sacrifice the interest to the safety of the +principal, bitter as the necessity seemed to be. + +For two months uncle Nathan had kept four thousand dollars in gold in +the house, groaning at the loss of sixty-six and two thirds cents a day +in interest; but a bank somewhere in the state had failed, and he dared +not trust the money out of his own possession. It had been hidden in +the cellar, hidden in the parlor, hidden in the kitchen, and hidden in +his chamber; but no place seemed to be safe, and the miser trembled +when awake, and trembled when asleep, in his dreams, lest the +figurative description of riches should be realized, and his gold +should take to itself wings and fly away. + +Ruin and decay had invaded the sleeping-room of the miser, as it had +every other part of his house. There was many a hole in the plastering, +and many a hole in the floor; but there was one particular hole in the +wall, about a foot above the floor, in a corner behind the bed. This +particular hole was selected as the receptacle for the gold. He had cut +away the laths, so that he could thrust his arm down into the aperture, +and deposit the bag on the sill of the house. + +He had begged a piece of board of Mr. Mogmore to cover this hole, and +had fastened it over the plastering with four screws. While he was thus +engaged, Mat Mogmore, the carpenter's son, had come for the +screw-driver uncle Nathan had borrowed at the shop. Mrs. Fairfield, not +knowing what her husband was doing, sent him into the chamber for it. + +"Stoppin' up the cracks to keep the cold out," whined the miser. "I +cal'late I got the rheumatiz out of this hole." + +Mat wanted the screw-driver, but he helped fasten up the board before +he took it, and wondered what the old man had cut away the laths for. +The board was put up, and the money was safe; but the miser hardly +dared to go out of sight of the house. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +FIRE. + + +Levi entered the house. Uncle Nathan was not at home, but he was +probably somewhere in the vicinity. Aunt Susan was in the kitchen +baking her weekly batch of brown bread, the staple article of food in +the family, because it was cheaper than white bread. + +"Aunt, I want to go up in the garret and get that little saw-mill I +made four or five years ago," said Levi. + +"Well, I s'pose you can," replied she, filling up the old brick oven +with pine wood, which cracked and snapped furiously in the fierce +flames. + +"It's up there now--isn't it?" + +"I s'pose 'tis, if you put it there; I hain't teched it." + +"Will you give me a little piece of candle, too, if you please?" + +"You can take that piece in the candlestick on the mantel-tree piece, +if it's long enough." + +"That will do just as well as if it were a foot long," replied Levi, +taking the piece of candle, and rolling it up in a bit of newspaper. + +He went up into the attic, found the saw-mill just as he had left it, +though it was covered with half an inch of dust and cobwebs. When he +came down, he heard uncle Nathan's voice in the kitchen. He was +growling because his wife used so much wood to heat the oven, and Levi +concluded not to see him that day, for he seemed to be in a more than +usually unamiable frame of mind. He went out at the front door, and +Bessie joined him as he passed Mr. Mogmore's house. The saw-mill was +taken to the spot where it had stood before. The dam was reconstructed +much more readily than the rebel states. + +Taking the candle from his pocket, Levi greased the running parts of +the machine, hoisted the gate, and away went the saw as briskly as a +bee after its years of rest in the attic, to the intense delight of +Bessie, who was quite ready to vote another feather for the cap of the +hero. A piece of board was adjusted on the carriage, and the saw began +to whisk, whisk, whisk through it, when a series of yells in the +direction of the road attracted the attention of the engineer of the +structure. + +"Why, what's that smoke?" exclaimed Bessie. + +"Fire! Fire! Fire!" shouted several persons in the road. + +"It's uncle Nathan's house," said Levi; and, without waiting to extend +any further courtesies to his fair companion, he bounded through the +field, and over the fence, to the imperilled dwelling. + +Around the north chimney the smoke was pouring out in a dense volume. +Uncle Nathan had raised a ladder to the roof, and was drawing up pails +of water to throw on the fire. Aunt Susan and Mat Mogmore were +assisting him, and in a few moments several other persons arrived at +the house. Levi ran up the ladder, and went to work with a decision and +vigor which promised the best results. + +"I'm ruined! I'm ruined, as true as you live!" groaned the miser. "The +house will burn up!" + +"No, it won't, uncle Nathan. We can put the fire out if we stick to +it," replied Levi, in encouraging tones, as he dashed a bucket of water +on a volume of flame that rushed up at the side of the chimney. + +"Tain't no use! It's jest my luck." + +"Pass up the buckets, uncle Nathan, and we shall be all right in a few +minutes. We are gaining on it." + +"O, my money!" groaned the miser, as he dropped the empty bucket he was +carrying. + +Levi glanced at him. His uncle was as pale as a sheet, and seemed to +have wilted as though the flames had blasted him. He sank down upon the +roof, and would have rolled off if the strong arm of his nephew had not +saved him. His eyes were closed, his lips were blue and ashy, and his +frame was motionless. Levi was alarmed by his appearance. He was either +dead or had fainted, and the young man saw that he must be removed. +Lying down by the side of the senseless form, he clasped his arms +around it, and rose to his feet with the burden on his back. Like all +misers, uncle Nathan was nothing but skin and bones, which do not weigh +heavily, and Levi walked along the ridge-pole to the other end of the +house with the nerveless body on his back. + +It was not an easy matter to descend the ladder with such a load, +though Levi would have carried his uncle down alone if no help had +arrived. Before he reached the ladder, two men had mounted the roof, +and while one of them was directed to pour water on the fire, the other +assisted in bearing the miser down the ladder. He was carried to Mr. +Mogmore's house, and aunt Susan followed, having satisfied herself that +her husband was not dead, but had fainted. + +[Illustration: A PERILOUS POSITION.--Page 24.] + +Having deposited the form of the miser on the bed, Levi hastened back +to assist in saving the house. His post was in the midst of danger, and +he went up on the roof. A plentiful supply of water soon drowned out +the fire, and before the engine arrived the last spark had been +extinguished. + +"O, my money!" had been the last words of Mr. Fairfield before he +fainted. Levi did not understand the force of this expression, for he +was not aware that his uncle had four thousand dollars in gold +concealed in the house. The miser had worked with the energy of +desperation to put out the fire, until the flames appeared to be +gaining upon him, and then he was in despair. At this point the thought +of his gold flashed upon him with such stunning force that it had taken +away his senses. Doubtless the smoke and the heat, as well as the +violence of his exertions, had contributed in some measure to this +result. + +The house would be burned, and the four thousand dollars would be lost! +This was the reflection which overwhelmed the miser. Even death seemed +preferable to losing such a vast sum of money. His god appeared to be +riven from him, and the revulsion in his mind was terrible. If his hair +had not already been gray, the shock was heavy enough to have bleached +it out in a single instant. + +When the fire had been put out, Levi hastened over to the carpenter's +house to ascertain the condition of his uncle. The patient, under the +skilful treatment of the old ladies who had ministered to him, was just +regaining his consciousness, but had not yet sufficiently recovered to +know what had happened to him. The house was not much injured. A hole +in the roof, about six feet in diameter, had been burned out, and the +water poured upon the fire had found its way into the rooms below. + +The neighbors had worked with energy in extinguishing the fire, and +some of them had gone into the house, and were removing the bedding and +other furniture, so that the water should not drip down upon it from +above. When Levi came back, he found Dock Vincent and Mat Mogmore +removing the bed from his uncle's chamber. Others were carrying out the +bureau and chairs. The work was about finished, and he joined Bessie in +the road, where she had been observing the exciting scene. + +"How did it take fire, Levi?" she asked. + +"I don't know. Aunt had a tremendous fire in the oven." + +"There comes your uncle," added Bessie, pointing to the poor old man, +as he reeled up the road in his weakness, like a drunken man. "How +awful he looks!" + +"He feels badly about it, I suppose," replied Levi. + +Uncle Nathan's face did indeed present an aspect which was almost +hideous. It was still as pale and ghastly as death itself; and upon it +there was an expression of the most intense agony. His wife was +following him, hardly able to keep pace with the long strides he made. + +"It's all right, uncle Nathan; we saved the house, and not much damage +has been done to it," said Levi, as the old man passed him. + +Uncle Nathan took no notice of him; perhaps he did not even hear him, +so deeply was he absorbed in thinking about the gold. Levi and Bessie +followed him into the house. The wretched miser rushed into his +chamber. Mat Mogmore was there, and seemed to be busy in wiping the +water from the floor. Dock Vincent was in the next room, apparently as +busy as the carpenter's son. + +The miser, with all the powers of his being concentrated in his eyes, +gazed tremblingly at the board which covered the hiding-place of his +money. That dark hole was the temple of his god, and all his hopes +seemed to be shrouded in its gloom. But the board was where he left it, +and as he left it, and the miser breathed a little easier. + +"It was rather hard on you, Mr. Fairfield; but it's lucky it ain't no +worse," said Dock Vincent. + +"It's bad enough," groaned the miser. + +"That's so; but 'tain't so bad as it might be. I was just coming down +from the ledges when I saw the smoke; and I've been to work like a good +one ever since," added Dock. + +"If I can do anything more for you, I'm willing to help as much as I +can," said Mat Mogmore. + +"There ain't nothing more to do," replied Mr. Fairfield, who only +desired that the neighbors would leave, so that he could assure himself +of the safety of his gold. + +They did go, without even the thanks of the miser. Levi was in the +kitchen with Mrs. Fairfield, trying to make out how the fire had +caught. + +"Sech a piece of work, massy knows!" exclaimed the old lady, as she +looked about her in dismay at the water which was still dripping down +from above. "It'll take a whole month to put things to rights agin. I +can't tell, for the life of me, how it ketched." + +"You had a large fire in the oven, aunt," suggested Levi. + +"But the fire in the oven didn't set the ruff afire! Sunthin was the +matter with that chimbly, and your uncle fixed it e'enamost a month +ago. I don't know nothin' what he did to it. Mebbe there was a hole in +that chimbly--For massy sake! What's comin' now!" + +This exclamation had been brought from her by a loud, despairing howl +from her husband, who at this moment rushed into the kitchen, with such +a look of anguish on his face that it frightened Bessie. + +"O, my money!" groaned the wretched man. + +"For pity's sake, husband, what's the matter?" cried Mrs. Fairfield. + +"It's all gone!" gasped uncle Nathan. + +"What's all gone?" + +"The money!" he replied in a whisper. + +His nature could endure no more. He tottered on his legs, and Levi +sprang to his assistance just as he dropped senseless on the floor. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE HOLE IN THE WALL. + + +As soon as Dock Vincent and Mat Mogmore had left the house, Mr. +Fairfield procured a case-knife,--for he was not the owner of so useful +an implement as a screw-driver,--and, with trembling anxiety, removed +the board that covered the hole in the wall. Thrusting his hand down +into the aperture, a cold chill swept through his frame when he failed +to touch the bags in which the gold was contained. With convulsive +energy, he felt in every part of the cavity; but the money had surely +taken to itself wings and flown away. + +Had all the human beings upon the earth been suddenly destroyed before +his eyes, the effect upon the miser could not have been more +deplorable. He loved his money; he did not love his fellow-beings. His +heart almost ceased to beat beneath the shock, his lip quivered, and +the tears started in his eyes. His brain began to reel before the blow; +he uttered a prolonged howl, and rushed out into the kitchen rather +from impulse than because he desired or expected human sympathy. + +Bessie Watson was terrified by the fearful aspect of Mr. Fairfield when +he entered the room, and for weeks the awful expression upon his face +haunted her like the vision of a midnight ghost. Levi was startled, and +Mrs. Fairfield, accustomed as she was to the ways of her husband, was +deeply moved by his singular conduct. When he was ailing, he was +subject to fainting fits; but he had never appeared so badly as on the +present occasion. + +The miser trusted no person, had no confidence in any one, not even in +his wife. He had not told her that he had four thousand dollars in gold +in the house, for he feared that she might be tempted to rob him of his +treasure. Mrs. Fairfield, therefore, did not comprehend his despairing +utterances when he announced the loss of his money. + +Levi and his aunt conveyed the senseless form to the front room, and +after working over him nearly half an hour, he came out of the fit, but +only to suffer the most intense agonies at the loss of his money. + +"What on airth is the matter with you, Nathan?" asked his wife, when, +after another examination of the hole in the wall, he appeared in the +kitchen again. + +Bessie had gone home; but Levi remained, to render any assistance in +his power in putting the house to rights. + +"O!" groaned the miser, heavily, as he paced the room with furious +strides. + +"Can't you tell what ails you?" continued Mrs. Fairfield. + +"It's all gone," gasped he, with a prolonged sigh. + +"What is it? What's all gone? Why don't you tell a body what has +happened?" + +"My money is all gone! Somebody has stolen it--robbed me, ruined me!" + +"Who on airth stole it?" + +"I donno," replied Mr. Fairfield, glancing at Levi. + +"How much was stole?" + +"Four thousand dollars," sighed the miser. + +"For massy sake!" exclaimed Mrs. Fairfield; and it was a question +whether she would not faint, for such a sum of money was beyond her +comprehension. + +"Where was it, uncle Nathan?" asked Levi, who pitied the sufferings of +the old man. + +The miser looked at his nephew. People always suspect those whom they +hate. If any wicked deed is done, they charge it upon those they love +the least, regardless of circumstances. + +"Levi Fairfield, you stole my money!" continued the old man, fiercely. + +"Nonsense, Nathan!" interposed Mrs. Fairfield. "Levi didn't do nothin' +of the sort." + +"Didn't you tell me he went up in the attic before the fire? Didn't you +tell me you gave him a piece of candle?" demanded Mr. Fairfield, +earnestly; and doubtless he felt that Levi was guilty, for his +impulsive charge was made on the strength of a course of reasoning he +had followed out. + +"What if I did tell you so? Levi didn't steal no four thousand dollars. +There's no sense nor reason in sayin' so," added aunt Susan. + +"I say he did steal it. I know he did now," persisted the miser. "He +set the house afire, and then took the money. That boy hates me, and +he's bad enough to do anything, if he is go'n' to jine the church." + +"Levi has money enough," argued Mrs. Fairfield. "Why should he steal +your money?" + +"Cause he hates me." + +"Uncle Nathan, I don't hate you, and I didn't steal your money," said +Levi, who had calmly listened to the debate between his uncle and aunt. + +"Yes, you did; you set the house afire, so's to git a chance to git the +money. It's all plain enough to me," continued the old man, striding up +and down the room more rapidly than before. + +"I suppose it will be useless for me to say anything," added Levi, more +in pity than in anger. "I am willing to do anything I can to help you +find the money, if it is lost, or catch the thief, if it was stolen." + +"'Tain't no use for you to talk no more, Levi Fairfield," said the old +man, stopping in front of him. "You know all about it, and you took the +money. If you're a mind to give it all back to me, I won't say a word +to nobody about it." + +"I did not take it, and I know nothing about it. I was not aware that +you had so much money in the house," replied Levi. + +"What did you want of the candle, then, if you didn't steal the money?" + +"I wanted it to grease the saw-mill, and the candle lies on a rock by +the brook now." + +"Didn't you set the house afire when you went up in the garret?" + +"I did not. I had no light, and not even a match in my pocket." + +"Who did steal it, then, if you didn't?" + +"I don't know. Where did you keep the money?" + +The old man led the way to his chamber, and pointed out the hole. + +"That's a bad place to keep money," said Levi. + +"'Tain't no use to keep money in the bank now; they're all failin', and +folks is failin'; and a man that's got a little money is wus off than +them that hain't got none." + +Levi asked a great many questions about the money, and the hole, which +uncle Nathan, hoping to find his money, answered. There was no evidence +to fasten the crime upon any one. The facts that appeared were, that +the money, in four bags, had been deposited in the cavity; that an hour +before the fire, the miser had assured himself the gold was safe; that, +after the fire, the board had been found in its place as before, but +the gold was gone. A dozen of the neighbors, at least, had been into +the room, and Dock Vincent and Mat Mogmore had been the last to leave. +Mr. Fairfield was sure that neither Dock nor Mat knew he had any money +in the house. There was no good reason for supposing they, any more +than any other of the neighbors, had taken the gold. + +After a long and careful examination of the premises, and a patient +inquiry into all the circumstances, nothing could be brought forward to +implicate any person in the robbery. Levi was not willing to believe +yet that the gold had been stolen. He went down cellar, and surveyed +the timbers under the hole, hoping that the bags had dropped through; +but he could not find them. He could not determine whether or not there +was any connection between the fire and the robbery; but Mr. Fairfield +insisted that some one--he did not say Levi now--intended to burn the +house, so as to cover up the crime, or at least afford an opportunity +to commit the theft. + +"How could any one set the fire in the roof?" asked Levi. + +"They might have gone up there, as you did," replied the old man, +rather malignantly. + +"Let us go up and see how the fire took," added Levi. "Aunt Susan had a +big fire in the oven." + +"It couldn't ketch afire up there if she did," replied uncle Nathan, as +he followed his nephew up the ladder. + +Some of the boards and shingles had been burned through, but the +rafters were only charred. Levi went up to the chimney and examined the +woodwork near it. The house was a very old one, and had been built upon +until its present proportions had been reached. The chimney, where the +fire had taken, was in the most ancient part, and the bricks were laid +in clay. Levi found that three or four of them, on one of the inside +corners, had dropped out. This was the defect which the owner had +repaired. + +"There is a great hole in the chimney," said Levi. + +"I know there is; but I stopped that up a month ago. I hadn't no mortar +nor nothin', and I just nailed a board over the hole." + +"That's the way the fire took," added Levi, wondering at the +carelessness of his uncle. + +"I didn't suppose there was any heat up here, twenty foot from the +fire," replied the old man, sheepishly. + +"Aunt Susan had a rousing fire in the oven. The wind was pretty fresh, +and I suppose the sparks caught on the dry board. It is clear enough to +me that no one set the house on fire." + +"I suppose they didn't, then; but somebody stole my money. Mebbe you'll +prove that nobody didn't steal it." + +"I am willing to take your word for that;" and the miser's visible +sufferings were all-sufficient to convince any person that the money +was gone, whether any one had stolen it or not. + +Levi tried in vain to obtain a clew to the lost treasure. He knew of no +one that had visited the house during the fire who was bad enough to +steal, unless it was Dock Vincent; but it was not right to suspect even +him of the crime without some evidence. Neither Levi nor his uncle saw +how Dock could have taken off the board, removed the bags, and then +restored the covering, while there were so many people in the house. + +Dock Vincent, after his discharge from the state prison, had gone to +New York, where he had been employed as the mate of a steamer. Six +months before the story opens, his brother, residing in Boston, had +died, and as the deceased had no family, his property, amounting to +twenty-one thousand dollars, had been equally divided among his two +brothers and one sister. Dock fully believed that seven thousand +dollars on Cape Ann would entirely wipe out the disgrace of having +served a term in the state prison, and he returned to Rockport, dressed +in a nice suit of black. + +Dock was mistaken; seven thousand dollars would not varnish his +character so that good men would associate with him. He blustered and +swelled, and declared that he had been taken up for nothing; that this +was not a free country; and that he was a better man than thousands in +town who had never been to the state prison. He never forgave Levi for +thwarting his plans, and swore roundly that he would be the ruin of him +and of Mr. Watson. + +The best friend Dock had was Nathan Fairfield, and the miser was not +willing to believe that Dock had robbed him of his gold. After Levi +went home that day, his uncle persisted that he had stolen the money. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE PLANK OVER THE CHASM. + + +A week of indescribable misery to Nathan Fairfield passed away; but no +trace of the robber or the money had been obtained. The constables and +the deputy sheriff had visited the premises, and carefully considered +all the facts, without affording the miserable man a particle of +consolation. He groaned from morning till night, forlorn and desolate, +declaring that he should come to want, and die in the poorhouse. + +Probably the money the wretch had lost was not a fifth part of his +fortune, and he was in no more danger of coming to want than the sea +was of being dried up. But he felt as though he had lost all; and if he +had been stripped of everything, he could hardly have suffered more. He +felt poor, and wanted to earn money in some way. The dog-fish season +had opened favorably, and he was actually preparing to go into the +business of catching them. Dock Vincent had promised him the use of a +dory,--for he could not afford to buy one,--and he had taken Levi's old +lines and repaired them for use. + +Mr. Fairfield groaned and sighed all day long while he worked upon his +fishing-lines and his trolls. He could not tell who had stolen his +money, and in his hatred of his nephew, he still persisted in +suspecting him. There was no proof, and he could do nothing but believe +that Levi was the thief. It was useless to say anything or do anything, +for Levi was so popular that justice could not be had. + +The lines, the troll, and the bait were all ready, and the old man +carried them down to the landing-place where Dock had left the dory. +Along the shore of this part of Cape Ann there is a succession of rocky +peninsulas, extending out into the sea. Between these are the beaches, +stretching in semicircles from bluff to bluff, as they have been +fashioned by the mighty waves which roll in from the open ocean. On +these sandy shores the billows chant their solemn melody all day and +all night long, and break with sharper pitch and fiercer swell upon the +jagged rocks that form the headlands. + +On the road, but a few rods from Mr. Fairfield's, and near one of these +peninsulas, was the house of Dock Vincent, where his family had always +lived, even when he was in New York. The end of the headland curved +round so as to leave a portion of the water behind it protected from +the force of the sea, thus forming a sheltered landing-place. Off this +point lay The Starry Flag, and on the rocks where the boatmen usually +embarked were several skiffs, and among them Dock Vincent's dory, which +Mr. Fairfield was to use. + +Across the end of the headland, a few rods from the extreme point, was +a natural chasm in the rocks, through which the water flowed at high +tide. It was about ten feet wide, and rather more than this in depth. +Across it a plank had been placed for the convenience of fishermen and +others. + +On the next headland, which terminated in Mike's Point, was the new +summer residence of Mr. Watson. He had made a landing-pier, which was +available at half tide; but Levi kept his boat at the old moorings, +because the place was sheltered from the violence of the north-east +winds, and it was less than half a mile across to the house where he +usually took in his passengers. + +Mr. Fairfield went down to the dory, and put his fishing-gear on board. +He did it as a man goes to a funeral. He had been a fisherman in his +younger days, but it was a bitter necessity, in his view, which now +compelled him to resume it when he was old and stiff. While he was +stowing the bait and lines in the skiff, Dock Vincent came down to see +him. He had laid aside his suit of black, and now wore a full seaman's +rig. + +"Well, Squire Fairfield, have you heard anything from your money yet?" +demanded Dock, as he seated himself on a rock. + +"Not a thing; and 'tain't likely I ever shall, nuther," replied Mr. +Fairfield, with a most distressing expression on his face. + +"Haven't you any idea what has become of it?" + +"Not the leastest grain in the world. It's gone, and that's all I know +about it. I did think Levi took it, and I hain't got done thinkin' so +yet." + +"What made you think he took it?" asked Dock, with no little interest +manifested on his ugly face. + +"Well, he come to the house when I wan't in, though I was close by and +see him go in. He went up garret and got a little saw-mill he made. I +went up to the house, and was just goin' to see where he was; but I +stopped a minute in the kitchen to tell my wife she was wastin' the +wood, and Levi went out afore I see him. A little while arter, the fire +bruk out, and arter that my money was gone. Levi's most eighteen, and +it stands to reason he don't want no little saw-mill to play with." + +"Of course he don't," added Dock, encouragingly. + +"He said arterwards that he wanted to show it to the Watson gal. But +what does a city gal like her keer about a saw-mill? and nuther on 'em +hain't been near it sence." + +"That shows how much they care about it," said Dock, who was evidently +prepared to indorse the old man's philosophy. + +"I can't help thinkin' Levi set the house afire, and then took the +money," continued Mr. Fairfield, ignoring the current explanation of +the cause of the fire. "My wife says 'tain't so, because the boy has +all the money he wants, and don't have no occasion to steal; but Levi +hain't no more idee of the vally of money than he has of flyin', and he +throws it away as reckless as a sailor arter he comes home from a Cape +Horn v'y'ge." + +"I know he does; if he had to earn it, he wouldn't be quite so free +with it." + +"Levi hates me, 'f I am his uncle, and never did nothing but take good +keer of his money for him--he hates me like destruction; and that's +what makes me think he done it. He's a bad boy, if he is go'n' to jine +the church. Folks will find him out one of these days, and then they'll +know I told the truth about him." + +"Could anybody else have taken the money? That's the p'int." + +"Not's I know on--least ways nobody but you and Mat Mogmore." + +"You don't think I took it--do you?" + +"I hain't been able to think so," replied the miser, looking up into +the face of Dock. "I allers thought you set too much by me to sarve me +sech a trick as that. I've lent you a good deal of money one time 'n +another." + +"But I paid you ten per cent. for it. I didn't take your money, and I +know Mat Mogmore didn't. I was with him all the time he was in the +house. We worked together." + +"It stands to reason, then, that Levi took it; I can't help thinkin' +so." + +"They say he carries a good many things to your house," suggested Dock. + +"Kerries a good many things to my house!" repeated the miser with a +sneer. "Mebbe he does. What sort of things does he kerry there? +Chickens and turkeys, and surlines and ribs of beef, and sech truck! He +knows I don't want sech things, and he does it jest to aggravate me. If +he wants to do anything for me, why don't he gim me the money he pays +out for 'em? That's what I want to know." + +"I don't think you've hit the nail on the head this time, Mr. +Fairfield," added Dock, who evidently had a theory of his own to +propose. "They say you are worth some thirty or forty thousand dollars, +Mr. Fairfield." + +"Bless ye! I ain't wuth no sech money. I've got a little or sunthin, +but I expect to lose it all." + +"Well, call it twenty thousand, then." + +"I ain't wuth that," added Mr. Fairfield, testily; for, like all +misers, he desired to conceal his possessions, as much to blind the +assessors as to avoid the peril of robbery. + +"Well, you are worth something." + +"A little or sunthin," answered Mr. Fairfield, conceding this for the +sake of argument. + +"Have you made a will, Squire Fairfield?" + +"No, I hain't made no will. I hain't got nothin' to leave wuth makin' a +will for." + +Dock did not believe this statement, but he took no notice of it. + +"You haven't any children, and if you should die, half of your money +would go to Levi, and half to your wife. If you should die, Levi would +make ten or fifteen thousand dollars by it. Don't you see now what he +gives you chickens and turkeys for? He means to keep things smooth till +you step out. If you shouldn't come back, when you go out after +dog-fish to-morrow morning, Levi wouldn't feel half so bad about it as +I should." + +This was a disagreeable topic to the miser, and he cut it short; but +the idea that Levi was ready to have him die took fast hold of his +shattered mind. Dock Vincent had produced the impression he desired; he +had added fresh fuel to the flame of the old man's hatred; and he was +content to let the subject drop for the present. + +Dock, finding himself a person of no consequence at the Cape, had +already announced his intention to emigrate to Australia with his +family; and he appeared to be waiting only to wreak his vengeance upon +Levi Fairfield, who had defeated his plan to swindle Mr. Watson out of +twenty thousand dollars. The young man had exposed and ruined him, in +his estimation--not the crime; and he could not leave the country till +he had "paid him off," though he was not so particular about his honest +debts. + +The next morning Dock went down to the landing-place. When he reached +the chasm, he saw Levi coming across the beach. His eyes glowed with +hatred, as they always did when he looked upon the author of his +misfortunes, the one whose testimony had sent him to the state prison. +He did not care to meet him, and it was evident that Levi was coming +for his boat. Stooping down, he adjusted the plank over the chasm in +such a way that his victim would be pitched down upon the sharp rocks +beneath, the instant he stepped upon it. The fall would not kill +him--it would only bruise and maim him. Levi was beneath the rocky +precipice, and could not see him. + +There was a smile on the villain's countenance as he retreated to a +place of concealment near the spot, to wait for the disaster that +should lay his victim upon the bed of pain and suffering. + +He waited ten minutes for the crash of the falling plank; but it did +not come. Rising from his seat, he moved to a position where, looking +through the chasm, he saw The Starry Flag standing over towards Mr. +Watson's house. Levi had walked on the shelving rocks, and reached the +landing without crossing the bridge. Dock was disappointed, and began +to climb the rocks to readjust the plank. As he ascended, he discovered +Mr. Fairfield, just stepping on the bridge. He shouted, but it was too +late; the end of the plank slipped off, the old man danced upon +nothing, and sank in the abyss below. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +AN INDUCTIVE ARGUMENT. + + +Dock Vincent was appalled to find that he had tumbled Mr. Fairfield +into the chasm; not that he was disturbed by any compunctions of +conscience, but because he wished to keep on the right side of the old +man, from prudential motives. He was in doubt whether to exhibit +himself to the injured man or not. If he showed himself, he might be +suspected of setting the trap into which the miser had fallen. + +The old man might be dead, and curiosity, if no stronger motive, +induced him to inquire into his condition; but he took the precaution +to reach the path by a roundabout way, and approach the chasm as though +he had just come from his house. When he reached the abyss, he found +Mr. Fairfield had risen, and was trying to climb up the rocks. He was +groaning and taking on as though he had been badly hurt. + +"What's the matter, Squire Fairfield?" demanded Dock. "What you doing +down there?" + +"O! O!" groaned the miser. + +"Looking for your money in there?" + +"O! No! O! I fell in," said the sufferer, in gasps. + +"Fell in! Why, how did that happen?" asked Dock, with well-feigned +astonishment. + +"I donno. O! that plank gin away, O, and let me down." + +"Are you hurt?" + +"Most killed," replied Mr. Fairfield, holding his breath, and then +exploding the words. + +Dock walked down the shelving bank above the water, and then entered +the chasm. + +"Where are you hurt?" he asked. + +"My hips is both broke, and I'm jarred e'enamost to pieces." + +[Illustration: DOCK VINCENT'S VICTIM.--Page 54.] + +"I guess your hips aren't broke; you couldn't stand up if they were," +suggested Dock. + +"Sunthin's broke, I know." + +"Sit down on this rock, and let me see what is broke." + +Mr. Fairfield complied, and Dock, who, as the master of a vessel, had +had some experience with sickness and injuries, carefully examined the +old man's limbs. He was badly bruised in several places, on the legs +and arms, but no bones appeared to be broken, so far as Dock's surgical +skill could discern. The jar of the fall had doubtless racked his frame +severely; but the miser was still a strong man, physically, and could +bear a pretty hard rap. + +After resting a while, and rubbing his limbs, the sufferer was able, +with the assistance of Dock, to walk home. He went to bed, and his wife +bathed his limbs, and dressed the bruises on his legs and arms. + +"Shall I go for the doctor, Squire Fairfield?" asked Dock, when he had +assisted the patient into his bed. + +"The doctor? No; he charges a dollar a visit," replied the old man, +fearfully; for the idea of paying a physician's bill filled him with +horror. "You say there ain't no bones broke; so I don't need no +doctor." + +"He don't need no doctor," added Mrs. Fairfield. + +"I don't think you do myself. I've had worse cases than this aboard my +vessel, and I got along without any doctors. You'll be all right in a +week or two, Squire Fairfield." + +"It's jest my luck," sighed the miser. "Everything's goin' wrong with +me. I shouldn't be a grain surprised if the house burned down over my +head afore I got out agin. I shan't ketch no dog-fish to-day, that's +sartain. There's ten dollars out o' my pocket, as sure's you live!" + +Dock was a rough comforter; but he spoke such words of consolation as +the occasion required and his vocabulary contained. + +"It's jest my luck," repeated the miser. "Every other man in town might +have walked over that plank, and it wouldn't gin away. I walked over +that plank last night, and airly this morning. I see, when I stepped on +to it, that somebody had been a movin' on it; but I didn't know the +'tother eend was only just ketched on to the rock." + +"Who moved it?" asked Dock, rather disturbed by this suggestion of a +suspicion. + +"I don't know nothin' about it; but somebody's been a movin' on it, or +it wouldn't a gin away under me, and let me down." + +"But who could have moved the plank?" persisted Dock. + +"I donno; the eend I stepped on was kinder hauled up." + +"You say the plank was all right in the morning, when you went down?" + +"Sartin it was. I went over it, and fixed the dory, ready to go arter +dog-fish, arter breakfast." + +"Well, the question is, Who has been down to the P'int since you went?" + +"I donno; but I believe somebody's tryin' to kill me--that's what I +believe." + +"O, nonsense! who should want to kill you?" + +"I donno," replied Mr. Fairfield, hastily, and in a tone which implied +that he knew very well who intended to kill him, but he did not wish to +name the person. "If I hadn't been as tough as an old black-fish, it +would have killed me, as sure as fate; that's the whole truth on't!" + +"But who could have set such a trap?" persisted Dock. + +"You didn't--did you?" added the old man, innocently. + +"Of course I didn't. You don't think I'd do such a thing as that," said +Dock, laughing. + +"My wife didn't--did she?" + +"Massy sakes! What's got into your head, Nathan?" interposed the old +lady. "Goodness knows I didn't do no sech thing." + +Mrs. Fairfield was a simple-minded woman, and she did not comprehend +that her disabled lord was only reasoning by an interrogatory and +inductive method. + +"Certainly Mrs. Fairfield didn't meddle with the plank," added Dock. + +"'Twan't Mr. Watson--was it? nor the Watson gal, nuther?" + +"No," answered Dock. + +"Who was it, then--don't you see?" + +Dock did not choose to see yet, though his mental visuals had perceived +from the beginning what the old man was driving at; and he was greatly +rejoiced to have the suspicion turned away from himself. + +"Who else goes down on to that P'int, almost every day of the week, +'cept Sunday?--and he don't go then 'cause he's go'n' to jine the +church," continued the miser, excited by the topic he was discussing. + +"You don't mean Levi--do you?" said Dock, opening his eyes as wide as +the hawse-holes of a man-of-war. + +"I see The Starry Flag a standin' over to Mr. Watson's new house when I +was goin' down to the P'int." + +"Did you?" asked Dock, when the old man paused to note the effect of +the climax of the inductive argument upon the listener. + +"I sartainly did. That proves that Levi went down to the P'int afore I +did--don't it?" + +"Well--yes; he went down there, of course," added Dock, in rather +deprecating tones. "He couldn't have got his boat if he hadn't gone +down there." + +"Then of course Levi done it!" exclaimed the old man. "'Tain't no use +o' beating round the bush no more. Levi done it, and he meant to kill +me." + +"'Tain't so!" protested Mrs. Fairfield, warmly. "There ain't no sense +nor reason in sayin' Levi done it. Levi wouldn't do sech a thing." + +"He may jine all the churches in town, but I tell you he's a bad boy, +and he's go'n' as straight to the gallows as a chicken goes to her +dough. Don't you know how he used me? how he fit me, and found fault +with his victuals; and then got all the property took away from me, +jest because I wouldn't let him spend it all? Don't tell me! I know +what Levi Fairfield is better 'n any other man." + +"What on airth should the boy wan't to break your bones for, let alone +killin' on you?" demanded Mrs. Fairfield. + +"O, well, Susan, you're nothin' but a woman; and we can't expect women +folks to see through everything--can we, Dock?" + +"Your wife has excellent judgment about things in general, Squire +Fairfield," replied Dock, smoothly. + +"There now! Tell me I don't know!" retorted the irate helpmate, +somewhat appeased by the delicate compliment. "'Tain't in reason that +boy meant to do sech a thing." + +Mr. Fairfield groaned, and changed his position in the bed. His bones +ached, and his bruises smarted; but the task of showing that Levi was +wicked enough even to plan a deliberate murder was too pleasing a one +to be abandoned, though the twinges of pain that darted through the +miser's limbs indicated rest both for body and mind. The sufferer +rehearsed all the points bearing against his nephew in the heinous act +under consideration, and he succeeded in satisfying himself and his +visitor that the young man intended to shorten his uncle's life. Mrs. +Fairfield,--grateful for the newspapers, which had given her a new +joy in the desolate world, and for the chickens, turkeys, and +roasting-pieces, which afforded her an occasional respite from salt +fish and fresh fish,--Mrs. Fairfield was obstinate, and refused to +believe that Levi--who, by the way, had just added the "Cape Ann Light" +to his aunt's sum total of earthly joys--was capable of doing a wicked +act. + +"Women folks don't see through things," said Mr. Fairfield, disgusted +at his wife's want of perception. "I've been thinkin' o' what you said +last night," he added, turning to Dock. "I never thought of sech a +thing before; but, I vow, it's just as you said." + +"Well, Squire Fairfield, I didn't say that to set you against the boy; +only to have you keep your eyes open," replied Dock. + +"When I fell into that hole, it opened my eyes so wide, I shan't shet +'em agin very soon." + +Mrs. Fairfield wanted to know "what on airth all this talk meant;" and +the relations of Levi to his uncle's post-mortem estate were explained, +so that "women folks" could understand them. She did not believe Levi +cared for the property, what there was of it, and she was not yet +willing to believe that he set the trap to destroy his uncle. + +"I believe it; and what's more, I know it," persisted the miser. "But +I'll cheat him out of it; I'll make a will this very day! I'll give +what little I have to Susan--I will, by gracious!" + +"It's very proper for you to do so," replied Dock, mildly. + +"Can't you write a will, Dock?" + +"Me! No. I don't know how. You must make it strong, or they'll break +it, you know. Better send for Squire Saunders, and have it done right." + +"Squire Saunders!" exclaimed the invalid. "What'll he charge?" + +"O, five dollars, perhaps." + +"Five dollars! What jest for writin' a little or sunthin?" + +"Perhaps he won't charge you more than three." + +"I shan't give no three dollars, nuther. I can't afford it. I'm +e'enamost stripped of everything now." + +The will was not made, and Dock left the house, promising to call again +in the afternoon. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE STARRY FLAG. + + +Levi Fairfield, in happy ignorance of the misfortune which had befallen +his uncle, headed The Starry Flag towards the mansion of Mr. Watson. +This was to be a great day with him, and he was filled with hope and +exultation. + +The Starry Flag was a capital boat, but Levi had long been beset by an +ambition to sail something larger. This desire was about to be +realized, for Mr. Watson, always a lover of the sea, had contracted for +a yacht of eighty tons, at the establishment of a celebrated builder in +the city. She was to be ready by the 1st of June, but she was not +completely stored and furnished till the 10th. + +Mr. Watson had remained in the city over night, and was to sail in the +yacht for his summer home the next morning--on the day that Levi missed +falling into the chasm. As the wind was fair, and tolerably fresh, the +young skipper thought she would arrive by noon, and he was to take the +ladies round as far as Eastern Point, to give her a welcome to the +waters of the Cape. + +Levi was to be the commander of the yacht, and he was every way +qualified for the position. He had studied navigation, could take an +observation, and do all the problems required of a thorough sailing +master. On the deck of a vessel he was in his element, and there was +not a point in navigation or seamanship with which he was not familiar. +He could not only hand, reef, and steer, but he could knot and splice, +parcel and serve, as neatly and as skilfully as a veteran man-of-war's +man. He was interested in such matters, and had spent hours and hours +in making short and long splices, eye splices, Turk's heads, and other +parts of rigging, until he was an adept in the art. + +Bessie had been the prime mover in this enterprise. She insisted upon +having a craft in which the whole family could go off for a month, and +be almost as comfortable as in their own home. She prevailed in this, +as she did in nearly everything which involved only the will of her +father to gratify her. + +Bessie and Mrs. McGilvery were handed into the boat at the pier behind +the house, and The Starry Flag was soon dancing over the long waves +that roll into Sandy Bay from the broad ocean. All the party were +excited; for to see a splendid, new yacht, in which they hoped to have +many good times, was enough to kindle a glowing enthusiasm in such +lovers of the art of boating. + +"You don't know her name yet--do you, Levi?" said Bessie, in a kind of +taunting tone. + +"I do not, but I shall soon find out if this breeze holds," replied the +skipper, who had been wilfully kept in ignorance on this important +matter. + +"Wouldn't you like to know?" added Bessie, teasing him. + +"Of course I would; but I am willing to wait a few hours longer." + +"Why don't you manifest a little impatience about it?" pouted she. + +"It wouldn't do any good; besides, I am a Yankee, and I think I can +guess what her name is. Indeed, I feel almost sure I know it." + +"What do you think it is?" + +"That's telling," laughed Levi. + +"But won't you tell me?" said Bessie, assuming an imploring look. + +"I think I will pay you off by keeping still." + +"Do tell me what you think it is. I shall not like it if you don't." + +Levi would have dived down among the fishes if such had been her will, +and he was compelled to answer,-- + +"Of course there is only one name for her, and your father must have +chosen that." + +"Perhaps not. But why don't you say what you think the name is?" + +"Will you tell me if I guess right?" + +"I will if you guess right the first time." + +"Very well; here goes, then! Her name is the Bessie Watson, to be sure. +There is no other name fit for her." + +"No! How absurd you are, Levi Fairfield!" replied Bessie, blushing up +to the eyes. + +"No? Why, that ought to be her name, if it isn't. It's the Bessie, the +Bessie Watson, or something of that kind. I know it is. Of course your +father wouldn't think of calling her by any other name." + +"It isn't anything of the kind, Levi. I am willing to confess that +father wanted to name her after me, but I wouldn't let him. I wanted +another name." + +"I'm sorry you did, for I wanted that name; and I shall not enjoy her +half so much as I should if she had been called after you," replied +Levi, not at all in the tones of gallantly, but in those of simple +truth and sincerity. + +"It is very kind of you to say so, and to think so, Levi; but I believe +she has received a better name," added Bessie, not unmoved by the +devotion of the gallant skipper. + +"There isn't any better name. I'm really disappointed." + +"You will not be when you read her name." + +"But what is the name?" asked Levi, seriously. + +"The--why, I almost told you!" laughed Bessie. + +"I hope it is not a hard name, for sailors make such a fuss about +jaw-breaking words. An old coaster meant to name his vessel the +Amphitrite, but he gave the name of Anthracite to the painter, and it +was duly lettered upon the stern. However, it answered just as well, as +the craft went into the coal trade." + +"It isn't a long name, nor a hard one, and I know it will suit you." + +"Well, Bessie, if it suits you, it will suit me," added Levi; "though I +did hope she would be called the Bessie." + +The Starry Flag sped on her way, and before noon was off Eastern Point. +There were several coasters approaching, but Levi could not make out +the yacht till he examined every craft with the spy-glass. + +"I see her!" exclaimed he, as he headed his boat so as to intercept +her. + +"Is she handsome?" asked Bessie. + +"I can't make her out very well at this distance; but we shall be up +with her in half an hour or so." + +Bessie looked through the glass, and so did Mrs. McGilvery, but they +did not obtain much satisfaction. The yacht was making her ten knots, +and in the time Levi had named they were within hailing distance of +her. + +"She is a beauty, and no mistake!" exclaimed the skipper, warmly. "She +is pretty enough to be called the Bessie Watson." + +"You mustn't say such things, Levi. They are not pretty," said Bessie, +very seriously. + +"The yacht is pretty enough, and so is the one she ought to have been +named after," persisted the gallant skipper. + +"There it is again! You are real naughty, Levi," pouted she; and +probably, like all pretty girls, she had a distaste for compliments. + +"Yacht ahoy!" shouted Levi. + +But Mr. Watson had already recognized The Starry Flag, and the yacht +was thrown up into the wind. Levi hauled in his sheet, and sailed in a +graceful curve around the stern of the vessel, intent upon reading the +secret which had been so persistently kept from him. + +"Now you will know!" exclaimed Bessie, gazing anxiously into his face +to observe the effect of the discovery upon him. + +"Dog-fish and dunderfunk!" ejaculated Levi, as he read the name, "THE +STARRY FLAG!" + +"There now, Mr. Skipper! Isn't that the name of all names for her?" + +"The Starry Flag!" repeated Levi, as he gazed at the golden letters on +the stern of the yacht. + +"Why don't you say something, you absurd skipper? I'm dying to know +what you think of it, and you don't say a word." + +"I like it first-rate; but if I had read 'Bessie' there, I should have +liked it better, much as I like it now." + +"I couldn't have her named after me! How ridiculous! I'm sorry you +don't like the name." + +"But I do like it, Bessie; though you couldn't expect me to like any +other name as well as yours." + +"Why, how absurd you are!" replied Bessie, as Levi ran the boat up to +the yacht. + +The gangway had been rigged so that the passage from one craft to the +other was an easy matter, even for ladies. Mr. Watson assisted them on +board. One of the hands, who knew the coast, was deputed to take charge +of The Starry Flag, and Levi went on board of the beautiful vessel he +was to command. + +"Well, Levi, what do you think of her?" asked Mr. Watson, after they +had walked around the deck, and inspected the cabin and cook-room of +the yacht. + +"She is magnificent, sir!" replied Levi. "She is, without exception, +the finest yacht I ever saw, and I have examined a great many." + +"I am glad she suits you. How do you like the name?" + +"Very much, sir, though if it had been the Bessie, I should have liked +it better." + +"I intended to give her that name, but Bessie was contrary, and +insisted that she should be called The Starry Flag, in grateful +remembrance of her trip from the Penobscot. I really appreciate her +motives, and both of us desire to perpetuate the name of your boat by +giving it to the finest yacht that could be built." + +"Since it pleases both you and her, I ought to be satisfied with +it--and I am. We have two Starry Flags now, and we may get them mixed." + +"The name of your boat shall henceforth be The Starry Flag, Jr.," +laughed Mr. Watson. "When we say The Starry Flag, we mean the yacht, +and when we say The Starry Flag, Jr., we mean your boat." + +The Starry Flag, then, cut her way through the long billows at a rate +which was highly gratifying to the embryo captain, who, prompt to his +instincts, had taken the helm, when he had examined her. He declared +that she steered splendidly, and he was sure she would prove to be a +good sea-boat. In a short time she came to anchor off Mike's Point. The +steward had prepared a lunch for the party, and they sat down at the +table as soon as the yacht swung round to her cable. + +"Now, Levi, you must get a crew for your vessel. These men, with the +exception of the cook and steward, will return to Boston this +afternoon," said Mr. Watson. + +"Are the crew to leave her?" + +"I only engaged them to bring her down, for I thought that you would +prefer to select your own hands." + +"I should," replied Levi, thinking what young men he could procure. + +"We shall be ready to start on our cruise to the eastward in three or +four days," added Mr. Watson. + +"I will be ready, sir." + +By the time the lunch was disposed of, The Starry Flag, Jr. had +arrived, and Levi landed the party. He was anxious to engage his crew, +and he ran the boat over to her moorings. On the rocks he found Dock +Vincent, who had been observing the yacht. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +GRAVE CHARGES. + + +"What vessel's that, Levi?" asked Dock Vincent, as the young skipper +landed on the rocks. + +"It's The Starry Flag," replied Levi, smiling. + +"No, I mean the large yacht, off the Point." + +"So do I." + +"You don't mean to tell me that vessel's called The Starry Flag!" + +"Yes, I do; that's her name. My boat is now called The Starry Flag, +Jr.," answered Levi, beginning to move off, for he was not disposed to +hold any intercourse with such a person as Dock Vincent. + +"Hold on a minute, Levi; tell us about her," said Dock. "What is she +for?" + +"A yacht; but I am in a hurry now." + +"Wait a minute. I have some bad news to tell you." + +"Bad news?" + +"Your uncle had an ugly fall this morning, just after you went off in +the boat," added Dock. + +"Where did he fall?" asked the young skipper, interested now, and +troubled by the information. + +"He fell into the cut, where the plank crosses it," replied Dock, +pointing to the place where the accident had occurred. + +"Is he much hurt?" + +"Yes; I think the old man is putty badly damaged in his timbers. He has +taken to his bed, and I shouldn't wonder if he had to stay there a +month." + +"I am sorry for it," said Levi, with entire sincerity. "How did it +happen?" + +Dock explained how it happened, taking care to locate himself at a +considerable distance from the scene of the catastrophe. + +"The old man thinks somebody fixed the plank so as to make him fall," +added he, finishing his narrative. + +"To make him fall!" exclaimed the attentive listener. "Who does he +think did it?" + +"Well, Levi, he thinks you did it," answered Dock, softening his tones, +so as not to commit himself to this view. + +"I!" + +"The old man thinks so, but that don't make it so, you know." + +"What makes him think I did it?" + +"Because you were the last person that went down to the P'int before he +did. You were running over to Watson's new house, in the Flag, when the +thing happened." + +"I haven't been over the plank to-day," said Levi. + +"You went to your boat just before the old man come down here; and he +don't see who else could have done it." + +"I did not cross on the plank; I went along on the rocks, as I always +do when I come across the second beach," protested the young skipper. + +"Well, I don't know anything about it, you see, Levi," added Dock, in +deprecatory tones. "I only tell you what the old man told me. He knows +you hate him." + +"But I don't hate him." + +"Don't you?" asked Dock, with a sceptical grin. + +"I'm sure I do not," answered Levi, with emphasis. + +"Perhaps you don't; but after all the trouble there's been between you +and the old man, it wouldn't be strange if you hated him and he hated +you." + +Probably Dock was as sincere as Levi; for there was not a Christian +idea in his head, or a Christian purpose in his heart. He had no keener +perception of the sublime doctrine of forgiving one's enemies, than the +beasts of the field or the fowls of the air. In his view it was the +most natural thing in the world for the uncle to hate the nephew, and +for the nephew to hate the uncle; and he did not believe it possible +for either of them to banish the foul impulse from his heart. + +"I don't hate my uncle; I would do anything in the world for him," +continued Levi, earnestly, but thoughtfully, for he was deeply pained +by the suspicions of his uncle. + +"I'm going up to see the old man, by and by, and I'll tell him what you +say about it," added Dock. + +"I have a great deal to do, but I shall go and see him myself," said +Levi, as he began to move up the rocks again. + +"What's your hurry, Levi? I want to talk with you about that vessel. +She is a fine schooner." + +"She is all that. I have to find a crew for her, for we are going off +on a cruise in three or four days. Do you know of any young fellows who +want to make good wages without working very hard?" + +"Yes; there's Mat Mogmore," replied Dock, after a little reflection. +"He'll make a first-rate hand for you. I rather think he'll go off to +Australia with me in the Caribbee." + +"In the what?" + +"In the Caribbee--that's my vessel. She's a schooner, rather larger +than that yacht, and she'll outsail anything of her inches that ever +floated. If you want Mat Mogmore, he'll be glad of a lay in that yacht, +for I shan't get off for three weeks yet. I'll speak to him about it." + +Levi preferred to do his own speaking, not wishing to place himself +under any obligation, however slight, to a man of Dock's character and +antecedents. He decided to visit his uncle at once, and call at Mr. +Mogmore's house on his way home. With some difficulty he escaped from +his ancient enemy, and crossing the plank, which had been placed in its +original position by Dock after the accident, he walked up the tongue +of land, dreading the scene at his uncle's which the information he had +received led him to expect. + +He found his aunt in the kitchen, and inquired particularly into the +condition of uncle Nathan. She thought he was "a leetle more +comfortable," and told Levi to go in and see him if he wanted to, for +she was confident that the young man could clear himself from the grave +charge preferred against him. + +"How do you feel, uncle Nathan?" asked Levi, kindly, as he entered the +bed-room. + +The old man looked at him with a savage stare, but made no reply. + +"I am sorry you have had such a fall," continued Levi. + +"No, you ain't sorry, nuther! What do you want to say that for, Levi +Fairfield? It's all your work, and 'tain't likely you keer how much I +suffer," growled the injured man, his words interspersed with many a +groan. + +"What is my work, uncle?" asked Levi, mildly. + +"Didn't you fix that plank over the cut so's to gim me this fall?" + +"No, sir, I'm sure I did not," protested Levi. + +"Don't tell me!" groaned the old man, suffering as much from passion as +from pain. + +"I can only say, uncle, that I have not touched the plank; and I did +not go near it this morning." + +"'Tain't no use; I know you did! You went down to your boat afore I +did, for I see you standin' over to Watson's new house jest afore I +fell. You want to kill me--that's what you're tryin' to do; and you +e'enamost done it this mornin'." + +"I'm sorry you have such an opinion of me, uncle," replied Levi, more +in sorrow and pity than in anger. + +"You've got most of my money afore I'm dead, and you mean to have the +rest on't arter I'm gone," continued the old man, in angry, whining +tones. + +"Do you still think I took the gold, uncle Nathan?" + +"Do I think so! I know you did! Nobody else took it, and nobody could +done it but you! What have you done with it?" + +"I know nothing about it, uncle. I am sorry you think so hard of me. +I'm ready and willing to do anything I can for you." + +"Then gim me back my money!" + +"I haven't it." + +"Yes, you have!" + +It was useless to talk with the sufferer, and Levi's presence only +excited him. After repeating, in the gentlest of tones, his desire to +serve him, the young skipper turned to depart. + +"You'll be found out, Levi Fairfield, and you'll have to give that +money up. 'Tain't no use to try to git red on me, for I'm go'n' to make +a will, and leave what little I've got to your aunt," said Mr. +Fairfield. + +"Uncle Nathan, do you really think I want your money?" asked Levi, +beginning to be indignant at the foul suspicious of the old man. + +"That's what you want to kill me for," whined the miser. + +"I don't want to kill you, or hurt you." + +"I'm go'n' to make a will; so 'tain't no use to try to git red of me +any more." + +Levi pitied the sufferer, as much for his moral as his mental +obtuseness, and fearful that his indignation might get the better of +his pity, he left the room. His uncle threatened him with all the +terrors of the courts and the prisons as he withdrew. In the kitchen he +found Dock Vincent, who had come to make his promised afternoon visit. +Levi left immediately, and called at the house of the carpenter. Mat +Mogmore, after some haggling, consented to become one of the crew of +the yacht. He was a young man of eighteen, who had made two or three +fishing voyages, and was a smart, active fellow. He had been rather +intimate with Dock since the return of the latter; and this was all +Levi had against him. Before night, the young captain of The Starry +Flag had engaged three other hands. The crew were to go on board the +next morning, when Levi intended to start on a trial trip, for the +purpose of training his men, and becoming more familiar himself with +the working of the yacht. + +Dock Vincent entered the chamber of Mr. Fairfield. He found the old man +agitated, and almost crying with anger and vexation. + +"So Levi's been to see you," said the visitor, seating himself at the +bedside. + +"Yes, he has! Sunthin must be done, Cap'n Vincent," replied the old +man, trying to rise on the bed, but sinking back with a groan. + +"Don't try to git up; keep still, Squire Fairfield, and don't hurt +yourself," interposed Dock. + +"I can't stand this no longer!" howled the miserable man, the tears +starting in his eyes. "Sunthin must be done." + +"What shall it be, squire?" asked the comforter, coolly. + +"I can't stand it no longer, and I won't, nuther," repeated the +sufferer. "Somebody's got my money, and I must git it back, or it'll +kill me. That boy must be took up, and sarched till the money's found. +I know he's got it. Nobody else couldn't have took it. He must have +kerried it off in that little saw-mill. That's what he come arter the +saw-mill for--to kerry off the money in." + +"Do you want to have Levi arrested?" asked Dock, musing. + +"Yes; he must be took up. As soon as he sees I'm in airnest, he'll git +scared, and give up the money." + +"Musn't be too hasty, squire. If you be, it'll damage you." + +"No 'twon't; nothin' can damage me now. I'll resk it. Git a constable; +but don't git Gayles." + +Dock counselled moderation, and thought it would be better to wait till +they had more proof, before taking any decisive steps. He finally +quieted the old man by promising to "hunt up the evidence," and have +Levi arrested as soon as there was any proof to work with. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CONSTABLE COOKE. + + +Levi went on his experimental trip in The Starry Flag the next day. The +wind was very fresh, and he had an excellent opportunity to test the +weatherly qualities of the yacht, and she proved to be all he had +anticipated or desired. She would sail almost into the wind's eye, and +went through a chop sea as steadily as a judge through a trial. Captain +Fairfield, as all hands on board called him, was proud and happy in his +new situation. He was in his element; and it was not likely that the +possession of any sum of money could long keep him from the position he +was born to fill--the command of a vessel. + +The yacht was fitted up below with special reference to the wants of +her owner's family and friends. Her trunk extended nearly the whole +length of her, affording a high and spacious cabin for a vessel of her +size. On each side of the companion-way, leading down from the cockpit, +or standing-room, was a small state-room, one of which was appropriated +to the use of the captain. It contained a single berth, a writing-desk, +a plentiful supply of lockers, drawers, shelves, and brackets for +clothing, charts, and nautical instruments. Levi had installed himself +in this little apartment, and felt like a lord, as he sat in its +cushioned arm-chair at the desk, glancing at his tasty and convenient +surroundings. + +This state-room, and its fellow on the opposite side of the ladder, +opened into the main cabin, which contained four berths, with curtains +extending out in front, so as to form an enclosure for each occupant, +securing entire privacy. Opening from the forward part of the cabin +were two large and airy rooms, each having two berths, for the +accommodation of Mr. Watson's family. They contained every convenience +belonging to a first-class hotel, with a curious economy of space, +which would have excited the admiration of those who have a taste for +overcoming impossibilities. + +Between these state-rooms was a narrow passageway leading to the +forecastle, which occupied about half the length of the vessel, and +contained the pantry, ice-house, cook-room, store-room, and six berths +in the forward part for the hands. + +The cook and steward were colored men. The former had served for years +in a packet ship, and the latter was a steamboat waiter, who never +failed to put on a white jacket at meal times. The four hands who had +been employed on the Cape were young men, the oldest not over twenty, +all of whom had made several fishing voyages, and were hardy, active, +and accomplished seamen for a small craft. + +On her trial trip Levi took the yacht as far as Boone Island, on the +coast of Maine. He dined in state, all alone in the cabin,--he had no +passengers on this cruise,--and Augustus, the cabin steward, wore his +white jacket, and stood behind his chair. In fact, Levi was Captain +Fairfield on this occasion; and he wore his dignity with becoming +modesty and grace. + +In the evening, after his return, he made a full and enthusiastic +report to Mr. Watson and the ladies of the good behavior of the yacht, +and declared that he was ready at once to go round the world in her. + +"We don't care about going round the world in her, Levi," laughed Mr. +Watson; "but on Monday morning we will start for Mount Desert, if you +are ready at that time." + +"I am ready now, sir." + +"I cannot leave before Monday. If we enjoy this trip, we will spend the +whole of the month of August on board of The Starry Flag. I should like +to go as far as the Bermudas, if you think it is safe to take so long a +voyage in her." + +"Safe!" exclaimed Levi. "You can cross the Atlantic in her as safely as +in a steamship. For my part, I should feel safer in her than in any +steamer that ever went to sea. She would shake you up more, perhaps, +but she will take you through all right if she is well handled." + +"No doubt of it. I told the builder to have her as strong as wood and +iron could make her. My directions were, first, strength, second, +comfort, and third, speed." + +"I think he has got the speed in first, for we logged twelve knots +to-day, with the wind free in a chopping sea. But she can't be excelled +for comfort and safety. I know by the feeling of her in a sea just how +she would behave in a gale." + +"Have you seen Mr. Gayles since your return, Levi?" asked Mr. Watson, +suddenly changing the subject, and wearing a look of anxiety. + +"No, sir; he was not at home when I went to supper," replied Levi, +satisfied something unpleasant had occurred; and he had not much +difficulty in surmising its nature. + +"Have you heard anything about a search-warrant?" + +"Not a word, sir; but I almost expected something of the kind. My uncle +charged me with taking the money he lost; but I did not even know that +he had any money in his house," answered Levi, grieved and mortified at +the necessity of again defending himself from such an assault. + +"Mr. Gayles told me that your room at his house, and indeed all his +premises, had been searched by Constable Cooke, in your absence, +to-day, for the missing gold." + +"Of course they did not find anything," replied Levi, blushing. + +"No, they did not; but perhaps they would if your affairs had been +managed by a less discreet person than Mr. Gayles. It seems that Dock +Vincent went to the house, with the constable, about dinner time. Your +uncle appears to have employed Vincent to look up the money for him. +Mr. Gayles was willing to admit the officer, but he positively refused +to allow Vincent to enter his house. Levi, that villain is the worst +enemy a man ever had. You must beware of him; have nothing to do with +him, and nothing to say to him." + +"I do not, any more than I can help." + +"The story now is, that you took your uncle's money, and set a trap to +kill or severely injure him at the cut, because you are his legal +heir." + +"How absurd!" interposed Bessie, indignantly, as she rose from her +chair, and seated herself by the side of Levi on the sofa, her mild +eyes beaming with unwonted fire. + +"Very absurd, my dear; but there are people who are foolish enough to +believe such absurd stories even of their own minister. Of course, +Levi, there is no real danger, but you may be seriously annoyed." + +Levi was smart. He had done great deeds. He was known to be worth +thirty-five or forty thousand dollars, in the hands of his guardian; +and his intimate relations with the family of Mr. Watson rendered it +exceedingly probable that he would eventually roll in wealth, to be +counted by hundreds of thousands. Most of the people were generous +enough to congratulate the young man, in their hearts, on his brilliant +prospects, especially as he did not put on any airs, or cut any of his +old friends. + +But there were weak and evil-minded men and women who envied his good +fortune, and were ready to seize upon any rumor which tended to bring +discredit upon him. Among these was Constable Cooke, whom Dock Vincent +had employed to search for Mr. Fairfield's money. He could not help +thinking that, if he had been intrusted with the warrant for the arrest +of Levi, on the charge, three years before, of purloining Ruel +Belcher's money, instead of Mr. Gayles, he would have done precisely as +that worthy man had, and in the end would have been appointed the young +man's guardian, making a few hundred dollars every year in commissions +on the care of the property. He could not exactly forgive Mr. Gayles +for being so fortunate; nor was he so exclusive as to confine his +dislike to the guardian, but extended it to the ward. + +Constable Cooke, therefore, was a fit person to do the dirty work of +Nathan Fairfield and his coadjutor. He adopted the miser's theory in +full, that Levi had set the house on fire with the candle, in order to +cover up the loss of the money, which he had conveyed from the house in +the little saw-mill. Since the arrival of the yacht, it had even been +conjectured that she was the property of Levi, who had paid for her +with the ill-gotten gold. This theory, explained and bolstered up with +specious argument and sophistical evidence by the constable, rather +staggered many people who believed in Levi. If the young man's +character had been doubtful, the theory would have been plausible; for, +after all, a person's good character is the best testimony in his +favor. + +Mr. Watson and Levi discussed the situation coolly, though the ladies, +with their warmer sympathies, were indignant, and disposed to be +violent in their measures. Nothing could be done but to wait the issue +of events; and Levi walked as proudly as ever through the streets of +the town. The next day he took the ladies out to sail in the yacht; but +before he went he called at his uncle's house, carrying a nice +tenderloin steak and a jar of jelly for the sufferer, who was +improving, in spite of the heat and excitement to which he agitated +himself. + +"Don't tell him, aunt Susan, that I brought these, things," said Levi. +"I pity him, and I don't hate him. I shall try to be a Christian +towards him now, whatever he does." + +The old lady burst into tears. Such a spirit amazed and overwhelmed +her. The reading of her religious paper had prepared her, in some +measure, to appreciate such conduct. The next day, which was Sunday, +Levi carried some other luxuries for the invalid; but he did not +venture to see his uncle after the violent scene which had attended his +first visit to the sick room. + +On Monday morning Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mrs. McGilvery, and Bessie were +conveyed on board of The Starry Flag. The foresail and the mainsail had +been hoisted, and the hands were heaving up the anchor, when a boat +from the shore was discovered approaching the yacht. + +"Hold on!" shouted Constable Cooke; when the boat came nearer, and was +found to contain, besides the officer, Dock Vincent and two other men. + +"Belay, all!" said Captain Fairfield; and the operations at the cable +were suspended. + +"I've come to search this vessel," said Constable Cooke, when he and +his party had reached the deck. "I have a warrant." + +"I will afford you every facility for the discharge of your duty," +replied Levi, as he led the way to the cabin. + +"Don't let Vincent go into the cabin," said Mr. Watson, in a whisper. + +Levi promptly informed the officer that Captain Vincent must not go +below. + +"I want him to help me," persisted Constable Cooke. + +"Captain Vincent can't go into my cabin. If he attempts to do so, I'll +throw him overboard!" added Levi, rolling up his coat sleeves. + +"I've a right to call in aid accordin' to law," said the officer, +angrily. + +"You shall not call him in," protested Levi. + +Mr. Watson spoke,--he had money, and the constable was afraid of +him,--and the matter was compromised. One of the other men went with +the officer, who proceeded directly to Levi's state-room. The desk was +opened, the lockers examined, and the drawers searched. In one of the +latter, a shot-bag, With ten half eagles in it, was found. + +"That's one of the bags!" almost yelled the constable, in the fury of +his malignity. + +"I never saw it before," said Levi, quietly, "nor the gold it +contains." + +"I have a warrant for your arrest, Levi Fairfield; and sence you showed +fight on deck, I shall put the handcuffs on you." + +[Illustration: LEVI IN IRONS.--Page 96.] + +Mr. Watson and the ladies were shocked and alarmed; but not one of them +for a moment doubted the innocence of Levi, who suffered himself to be +ironed without resistance. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE EXAMINATION. + + +Constable Cooke put the irons on the wrists of Levi Fairfield, not from +a sense of duty, but with a keen relish for the act itself. It is but +justice to the officer, prejudiced though he was, to say that he was +entirely sincere in the belief that his prisoner had stolen the miser's +gold. He was needlessly rough and severe in the discharge of his duty, +and the irons were a gratuitous indignity. Mr. Watson protested +vigorously against the constable's useless display of authority. Bessie +was frightened and terribly grieved by the harsh treatment bestowed +upon her ideal of a hero. + +Levi himself was the only person in the cabin who was calm. His quiet +dignity was unruffled by the insults heaped upon him, and he looked +proudly conscious of his innocence. + +"What does all this mean?" demanded Mr. Watson, when Levi had been +effectually ironed, so that he could not tear the constable and his +assistant to pieces, as they seemed to fear he would. + +"I do not know, sir," replied Levi, shaking his head, with a smile. + +"I think it is all clear enough, Mr. Watson," interposed Constable +Cooke. + +"I don't think it is," replied Mr. Watson, sharply. "You have found a +shot-bag with ten five-dollar gold pieces in it. What does that prove?" + +"It proves that Levi stole the money just as clear as the sun proves +it's day." + +"Is it anything surprising that the captain of a yacht has fifty +dollars in gold in his state-room?" + +"I don't know's 'tis, but it's sunthin surprisin' that he should have +one of the bags the old man kept his money in, in his state-room," said +the officer, with a sneer. + +"How do you know that is one of the bags?" + +"How do I know?" repeated the constable, taking the bag from his +pocket. "Mr. Fairfield told me he writ his name on all the bags. There +it is." + +The bag was exhibited, and over the imprint of the manufacturers of the +shot it had originally contained was the name, "N. Fairfield," rudely +traced in large, awkward characters, in pencil, on the cloth. Levi saw +it, and the formation of the two capital letters assured him it had +been written by his uncle. The bag was found in one of his drawers; but +it was plain that "an enemy had done this." + +"If that don't satisfy you, Mr. Watson, I don't know what will. This +ain't pleasant business, but I can't help it," added Constable Cooke, +who perhaps had begun to think it was imprudent to offend a rich man. + +"That doesn't satisfy me," replied the obstinate merchant. "Do you +suppose Levi put that bag and the gold into the drawer?" + +"I suppose he did, sir. That's his state-room--isn't it?" + +"There are half a dozen places there with locks on them. Do you think +he would put his money into a drawer without any lock upon it?" + +"I don't know anything about that," answered the constable, who could +not help seeing that the argument was a good one. "I've got a warrant +for his arrest." + +"Did you know the money was there before you came on board?" demanded +Mr. Watson, warmly. + +"I supposed it was there." + +"What made you suppose so?" + +"I was told it was there." + +"Who told you so?" + +"I don't know as I'm obliged to tell you who told me," replied the +officer. + +"I don't know that you are, either; but some of you shall be indicted +for conspiracy if you don't answer. You came on board with a warrant in +your pocket for the arrest of Captain Fairfield. You expected to find +the gold here, you say. Somebody told you it was here, and that +somebody knows more about it than the person you have arrested and put +in irons," continued the merchant, indignantly. + +"You know why I put him in irons. Didn't he threaten to throw one of us +overboard?" replied the constable. + +"When officers take graduates of the state prison to assist them in the +discharge of their duties, they must expect some opposition." + +"But Captain Vincent is acting for Mr. Fairfield, who's too sick to do +anything himself," pleaded the officer, who could not help seeing that +Dock was not a proper person to aid him in the performance of his duty. +"I'll take the bracelets off, if you say so." + +"I do say so, most emphatically!" added Mr. Watson. + +Constable Cooke removed the irons, stepping between Levi and Bessie to +do so. + +"So long as you and your father do not believe I am guilty of any +crime, I don't care for the irons or the prison," said Levi, +cheerfully. "I am rather glad of an opportunity to vindicate myself, +for I have no doubt there are some people who think I took my uncle's +money." + +"But it is so terrible to be sent to prison, and to be ironed!" added +Bessie, her pretty face full of tender sympathy. + +"Not at all. As I view it, the guilt is the only thing that is +terrible. This may lead to the discovery of the real thief." + +"Levi, have you any idea how that bag came in your state-room?" asked +Mr. Watson. + +"Not the least, sir. It must have been put there by the thief, or by +some one acting for him." + +"We shall not make our trip to-day--that is clear enough. Come, Mr. +Cooke, we will go on shore, and inquire into this matter at once," +continued Mr. Watson. "Levi, you must send all hands to the office of +Squire Saunders, for probably we shall want their evidence." + +The four young men who constituted the crew of the yacht lived in +Rockport, and knew all about the relations of Levi with his uncle. They +were directed to go ashore, with the cook and steward, and appear at +the office of the trial justice. Levi was taken in charge by Constable +Cooke, and went in his boat, with Dock Vincent, much against his will. + +"We are likely to have a sharp time on't," said the officer, when they +had pushed off from the yacht. + +"Why so? What's up now?" demanded Dock. + +"Mr. Watson has sent all hands ashore, and I suppose he'll have Squire +Cleaves, who's as sharp as a razor new set, and he'll rake us all over +the coals." + +"What's going to be done, Levi?" asked Dock, turning to the prisoner. + +"I have nothing to say about it," replied Levi. + +"What did you send all hands on shore for?" + +"I shall answer no questions." + +"Afraid of committing yourself, I suppose," said Dock, with a sneer, +which did not wholly conceal his anxiety. + +Levi made no reply. Without being willing, in the absence of some +evidence, even to suspect Dock of stealing his uncle's money, he could +not help feeling that the antecedents of his old enemy warranted him in +thinking that he had something to do with the robbery, or, at least, +with fastening the charge upon him, and causing the shot-bag to be +placed in his state-room. The party landed, and while Constable Cooke +conveyed his prisoner to the office of the justice, Dock called at Mr. +Fairfield's to inform him of the arrest. + +The old man was somewhat better, and able to sit up in his +rocking-chair; but his bones still ached, though he suffered less in +body than in mind. Dock called upon him every day, and assured him he +would find his gold in time. On the present occasion he had encouraging +news, and related the particulars of the events which had occurred on +board of the yacht. + +"I knowed it!" exclaimed Mr. Fairfield, when he had listened to Dock's +story. "I was sartain that boy took the money." + +"I suppose it's a clear case enough now," added Dock. "Finding the bag +with your name on it settles the matter." + +"But did you find all the money, Cap'n Vincent?" asked the old man, +nervously. + +"No; only about fifty dollars of it." + +"Didn't find no more?" added Mr. Fairfield, with a blank stare. + +"No, but we shall find the rest of it. Mr. Watson's going to make an +awful fuss about it." + +"About what?" + +"About taking Levi up. I suppose they'll want you to swear to the bag." + +"But I can't go out," said the old man with a grunt, when reminded of +the pains in his frame. + +"Then the squire must come here, as he did when you swore before. I'll +go up, and see about it. But, Squire Fairfield, I shan't be able to do +much more for you, for I expect my vessel round here soon, and I shall +be busy fixing her up for the voyage to Australia." + +"I hope I shall find the money afore you go," added the old man, with a +gloomy look. + +"I hope so too, and I expect you will," replied Dock, as he left the +room to attend the examination. + +In the mean time Levi had been conveyed to the office of Squire +Saunders, who, deeming the evidence of Mr. Fairfield absolutely +necessary, had decided to hold his court at the house of the miser; and +the old man was soon astonished by the appearance of the whole crowd of +officers, counsel, justice, and witnesses in his chamber. + +Mr. Fairfield was examined first. He testified, with many a sigh and +groan, that he had deposited the four bags, each containing one +thousand dollars in gold, in the hole in the wall, which was pointed +out to the justice. He had marked his name on each bag, and he +identified that produced by Constable Cooke as one of the four. He was +asked if the ten half eagles were his property. He was disposed to +swear to them also; he had no doubt they were part of the money he had +lost; but when asked to state by what marks he recognized them, he was +unable to show wherein they differed from other coins of the same +value. + +The officer then swore that he found the bag in a locker in the +state-room, with the money in it. Squire Cleaves, who had already been +fully instructed in the case by Mr. Watson, began to put disagreeable +questions to him, which appeared to make him nervous. + +"You went off to the yacht with a search-warrant--did you, Mr. Cooke?" +asked the lawyer. + +"I did, sir." + +"Did you expect to find the money or the bag on board?" + +"I did." + +"Had any one told you the bag was there?" + +"Well, I can't say any one told me it was there," replied Cooke, with +some embarrassment. + +"You can't?" + +"No, sir; I can't." + +"What induced you to look for the money on board of the yacht?" + +"I was pretty well satisfied that Levi stole that money, and being he +was goin' off on a cruise, I thought likely he would put some on't on +board to use. That's what made me expect to find it there," added +Constable Cooke, with a more satisfied expression on his face, for the +explanation he had given appeared to meet the exigencies of the case. + +"Did you reason this out yourself, or did some one suggest the idea to +you?" + +"Well, some one spoke to me about it, but----" + +"Precisely so! Who spoke to you about it?" + +"No one said much to me, and I----" + +"But who said anything?" interposed the squire. + +"Well, Captain Vincent said I might find the bag--he didn't say I +_should_ find it." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MR. C. AUGUSTUS EBÉNIER. + + +Squire Cleaves had brought out from the unwilling witness the fact that +he wanted, and Dock Vincent was put upon the stand. The learned counsel +adroitly conveyed the information that the witness had been convicted +of crime, and had served a term in the state prison--which, though it +did not exclude him from giving evidence, might affect his credibility. +This statement roused the ire of Dock, and he was cross and sullen, +which is a very bad state of mind to be in when subjected to the +torture of a skilful lawyer. + +Dock described the manner in which he had assisted Mr. Fairfield in +finding his money. He had done all that an honest man and a good +neighbor should do to help a feeble old man; and it wasn't right for +"one-horse lawyers" to insult him. + +"Do you consider yourself insulted, Captain Vincent?" asked the squire. + +"Yes, sir; I do!" + +"Have you been convicted of a crime?" + +"What if I have? There was no justice in it," growled Dock. + +"Have you served a term in the state prison?" + +"If I have, it wasn't a fair thing; and a good many better men than you +or me have spent years in prison." + +"Undoubtedly, but our best men don't usually graduate at the state +prison. You admit the facts as I stated them. Now, Captain Vincent, you +were employed by Mr. Fairfield in finding the money he lost." + +"I said so; I was." + +"Did you tell the constable he would find the bag on board of the +yacht?" + +"No, sir; I did not." + +"What did you tell him?" + +"In my opinion, Levi stole that money. I didn't think so at first, but +his uncle convinced me he must have done it. I told the constable to +look for the money and the bags on board that vessel." + +"Didn't you tell him he would find this bag in Levi's state-room?" + +"No, sir; I did not." + +"Didn't you tell him he might expect to find it there?" + +"Perhaps I did; whether I did or not, I expected he would find it +there," answered Dock, casting a malicious glance at Levi. + +"Why did you expect he would find it there?" + +"Because I was satisfied Levi stole the money, and would use some of it +while he was gone on the cruise." + +"Was that the only reason?" + +"It was." + +"Captain Vincent, do you know how that bag came in Levi's state-room?" +asked the lawyer, looking upon the floor, as though he considered the +question of little consequence. + +"Yes, sir; I do." + +"Please to state how it came there." + +"Levi put it there." + +"You are willing to swear that Levi put it there--are you?" + +"Yes, sir; I am," replied Dock, promptly. + +"Did you see him put it there?" + +"Of course I didn't. I never was aboard of that yacht till this +morning." + +"How can you swear that he put it there, then?" + +"Because Constable Cooke found it there." + +"Is that the only ground on which you swear Levi put it there himself?" + +"That's ground enough." + +"Answer my question, if you please." + +"Yes, it is; and my belief that Levi robbed his uncle of his money." + +"That will do; we shall give you the little end of the horn to crawl +out of before we get through," added Squire Cleaves. + +Dock, sour and crabbed, sat down near the rocking-chair of Mr. +Fairfield; and Mr. Cćsar Augustus Ebénier, cabin steward of The Starry +Flag, Sr., was politely invited to take the stand. He appeared in his +best clothes, and his name, quality, and position on board of the yacht +were duly elicited by the magistrate. + +"What do you know about the money or the bag?" asked Squire Saunders. + +"I know all about it, your honor," replied the witness, with a radiant +smile. + +"Who put them in the locker, where they were found?" + +"I did, your honor." + +"That nigger's been bribed to say that," interposed Dock, savagely. + +"Who do you call a nigger?" demanded Mr. Cćsar Augustus Ebénier, +stepping briskly up to Dock, with his fists doubled up for use. "I +never was convicted of crime and sent to the state prison." + +"Order!" called the justice. + +Dock was the more disturbed of the two; but the constable quieted him, +while Mr. Watson patched up the wounded dignity of the cabin steward, +who was doubtless a much better man than Dock. He had formerly been the +body servant of a French gentleman in Louisiana, and he could read and +write, and spoke French fluently. He wrote his name "C. Augustus +Ebénier," and he insisted that his surname should be pronounced +A-ba-ne-a. He was a person of no little importance in his own +estimation, and had a southern negro's contempt for mean whites, of +whom Dock Vincent seemed to be the meanest specimen he had yet seen. + +[Illustration: MR. C. AUGUSTUS EBÉNIER IS WRATHY.--Page 112.] + +"Now, Mr. Ebony, we will proceed with this examination." + +"A-ba-ne-a, if you please, your honor," suggested the witness, with the +politest of bows. + +"I beg your pardon, Mr. Ebénier," said the justice, with a smile. "You +placed the bag and the money in the locker--did you?" + +"I did, your honor; in the captain's locker: but I didn't comprehend +what was in the bag at the particular moment when it was in my +possession." + +"Exactly so." + +"I was not precisely informed in regard to the nature of the contents +of the bag, which was agglomerated in a mass, and exceedingly heavy for +the bulk of the parcel, appearing to consist only of a portion of tow +cloth." + +"Just so, Mr. Ebénier; we are fortunate in being able to understand +you." + +"I beg your honor's pardon, but the initial E in my surname should be +pronounced like long a." + +"Excuse me, monsieur," laughed the justice; "but my French is rather +rusty. Will you do me the favor to indicate in what manner the bag and +its contents came into your possession." + +"With pleasure, your honor. Yesterday afternoon, just previous to +Captain Fairfield's going on shore----" + +"Who?" asked Squire Saunders, who was not familiar with Levi's new +title. + +"Captain Fairfield, your honor." + +"You mean Levi?" + +"No, your honor; far be it from me to commit the gross disrespect of +calling the captain of the yacht in which I sail by his Christian name. +Captain Levi Fairfield, your honor." + +"Go on, then. I know whom you mean." + +"Yesterday afternoon, just as Captain Fairfield was going on shore--I +disremember the precise time, but it was about five o'clock, post +meridian." + +"That is sufficiently accurate, Mr. Ebénier. Do me the favor to +proceed." + +"I beg your honor's pardon, but these interruptions have a tendency to +prevent me from following accurately and succinctly the thread of my +narrative." + +The magistrate bowed, and laughed, as all in the room were doing except +Dock and Mr. Fairfield. The witness commenced his story again, +repeating everything he had said before; and the squire did not deem it +prudent to interrupt him again. + +"I was located in a standing position near the entrance to the main +cabin; and your honor is aware that, in first-class yachts, the descent +commences in the standing-room, which in New York yachts is more +frequently called the cockpit. At a distance of not more than a quarter +of a marine league from our yacht lay a fishing schooner, which I was +informed by those who probably possessed an accurate knowledge of the +intended movements of the schooner, though I really could not now state +to your honor the names of the parties from whom I received this +intimation----" + +"Not material," interposed the squire. + +"The information I received may prove to be material, your honor. I was +credibly informed that the vessel intended to sail for the Grand Banks +or the coast of Labrador, I cannot now swear which, or, indeed, if it +was either of these localities. Possibly it was either, possibly it was +neither, or possibly it was both. I wish it particularly understood +that, under the solemnity of an oath, I do not state positively where +the vessel was going. Suffice it to say that she was going on a fishing +voyage; but whether for cod, haddock, mackerel, or halibut, or either, +or all, or a portion of these piscatorial inhabitants of the mighty +deep, I am entirely unable to say." + +The court, counsel, and witnesses, with the exceptions before noted, +roared with laughter; and the cabin steward smiled complacently, as +though he was conscious of having made a point. + +"I can only observe, under oath, that I was informed that the vessel +intended to depart in search of some of the numerous ichthyological +specimens that roam in finny herds through the boundless depths of the +sea--as soon as the tide turned." + +"Excuse me, Mr. Ebénier, but what has all this to do with the money and +the bag?" asked the justice, choking down his laughter. + +"I trust I shall be able to demonstrate, to the entire satisfaction of +your honor, that there is an intimate connection between these +circumstances and the suspicious articles discovered in the state-room +of Captain Fairfield." + +"Go on, then. It is almost dinner time." + +"A doray--an exceedingly anomalous craft to a resident of New York, +where I have had the honor to reside for several seasons--a doray----" + +"You mean a dory--don't you?" + +"I am really unable to pronounce the word according to any authorized +orthography, as it was never my good fortune to see the word in print. +I am not informed whether or not the acute accent is placed over the +final e." + +"There is no e in the word. D-o-r-y." + +"Ah, excuse me! It is not a French word, then, and it is quite proper +to call it a dory." + +"Precisely so; and now, having settled this important point, that it is +a dory, and not a doray, will you inform the court where you got the +bag and the money?" said Squire Saunders, beginning to be a little +impatient. + +But he might as well have attempted to make water run up hill as to +induce Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier to relate his story in any other than +his own way. + +"A dory from the fishing vessel, about to depart on her voyage, paid a +visit of courtesy to the Starry Flag. The party which came in the dory +consisted of three persons, all of them fishermen, and all of them +young men. All, or a portion of them, were evidently personal friends +of the four worthy young men who collectively constitute the crew of +the yacht, of which I have the honor to be cabin steward. The persons +who came on board were not cabin visitors; I am not even aware that +they paid their respects to our excellent captain; but I feel compelled +to add that, while on board, they behaved with the utmost propriety. I +was located----" + +"Avast there!" exclaimed the justice. "The court is adjourned till +after dinner. I hope the distinguished gentleman will be able to spin +out his yarn before bed time." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE RESULT OF THE EXAMINATION. + + +The dignity of the court had been effectually swamped by the +grandiloquence of Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier, though it was evident that +he was a very important witness. Of course no one was invited to dine +at the miser's, and the court and witnesses went home to dinner. As a +compromise, Constable Cooke was asked to dine with his prisoner at Mr. +Watson's. At the appointed hour in the afternoon the court again +assembled in the house of the miser. + +"Mr. Ebénier," said Squire Saunders, "you had proceeded in your +narrative, when the court adjourned, to the point where four of the +crew of the fishing vessel, about to depart in search of ichthyological +specimens, came on board of the yacht, which has the honor to have your +valuable services as steward." + +"I beg your honor's pardon; I had the honor, not the yacht," interposed +Mr. Ebénier, bowing. + +"Well, I should say that the honors were divided," replied the justice; +and his remark was regarded as a judicial joke. "If you could commence +where you left off; and go on, I should be under very great obligations +to you." + +"I will make a persistent effort to do so, your honor," added the +obliging Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier. "As I had the honor to hear your +honor remark, the three young men from the fishing vessel, about to +depart, as aforesaid, were on board of our yacht, as aforesaid, and as +I was standing near the cabin door, as aforesaid,--now my narrative +progresses, your honor,--one of the young men from the fishing schooner +aforesaid, as Captain Fairfield was about to go over the side into his +boat, rushed up to me with the bag in his hand." + +"You mean the shot-bag containing the gold--do you?" asked the squire, +now deeply interested in the substance of the story. + +"I do, your honor; perhaps I should have said the bag aforesaid, which +I thought I had described with sufficient minuteness. The bag had +originally contained shot, if the words printed on it can be relied +upon----" + +"In the name of the Constitution of the United States, don't repeat the +description of the bag!" protested the squire. "One of the young men +rushed up to you with the bag in his hand." + +"The bag aforesaid, then, your honor. I affirm that he _rushed_ up to +me, meaning that he walked briskly and rapidly towards me. He placed +the bag--the bag aforesaid, your honor--in my hand, extended for the +purpose of receiving it when I understood that he wished to commit it +to my keeping." + +"Precisely so; what did he say?" + +"He observed that the captain desired me to place the parcel--by which +I mean the bag aforesaid, with its contents, not then known to me--in +one of the lockers in his state-room. As nearly as I can remember, +though I should not be willing to swear to the precise phraseology of +the language he used, his words were, 'The captain wants you to put +this into the locker in his state-room.'" + +"Didn't you ask him what it was?" + +"No, your honor; I never ask any questions when the captain's orders +come to me. It is my duty to obey, without knowing the reasons for the +action I am directed to take. I went immediately to the captain's +state-room, and deposited the parcel--the bag aforesaid--in one of the +empty lockers. I supposed from its weight that it contained nails, +hinges, screws, or some other species of hardware." + +"Did you see the captain hand it to the person who gave it to you?" + +"No, your honor, I did not. Under the painfully disagreeable circumstances + which have followed the _dénouement_ of the depositing of the bag + aforesaid in the locker, I wish to add, if my humble opinion is of any + value to this honorable court, that I do not believe the captain gave + the bag aforesaid to the person of whom I received it." + +"Do you know the name of the man who gave it to you?" asked Squire +Cleaves. + +"I can only reply that I heard him called Ben,--which I presume is an +abbreviation of Benjamin,--when addressed by his companions." + +"It was Ben Seaver," said Levi. "He was on board at the time +mentioned." + +"I have no knowledge whatever in regard to his patronymic," added the +cabin steward. + +"Why do you say you don't believe the captain handed it to Ben?" +continued the justice. + +"Because, your honor, the circumstances do not justify such a +conclusion on my part. It is not reasonable to suppose----" + +"Confine yourself to the facts, Mr. Ebénier. We do not care to listen +to an argument," interposed the justice. + +"I beg your honor's pardon; to facts, then, will I confine myself. The +captain went directly from the cabin to his boat, and the person whom +his companions called Ben came to me directly from the forecastle. I +did not see him hold any communication with the captain, though he +paused for a moment at the gangway, and looked over the rail into the +boat." + +"Might not the captain have handed him the package then?" + +"I don't think it was possible, your honor." + +"What were the men on the forecastle doing?" + +"They were coiling away a spare cable--all but Bob Thomas, who was to +pull the captain ashore; and the visitors were assisting them." + +"That will do, Mr. Ebénier; we are much obliged to you for the lucid +manner in which you have given your testimony, which is very +important," said Squire Saunders. + +Bob Thomas, who had pulled the captain ashore, and who had been in the +boat with him at the time when he was alleged to have sent the bag to +the steward, was next questioned. He had neither seen the bag, nor seen +Levi speak to Ben Seaver. The rest of the crew were examined, but +nothing was elicited from them. Each of them was asked what had passed +between Ben and himself, but the conversation related entirely to fish +and fishing. Mat Mogmore seemed to be slightly confused, which was +attributed to bashfulness, for his statements were as square as those +of his shipmates. + +Ben Seaver, who appeared to be the only person that could solve the +mystery, had gone on a fishing voyage, and might not return for two +months or more. No one had seen him at the fire, when the money was +stolen; and it was not probable that he was the original thief, +whatever part he might have been employed to perform by the guilty +party. + +Levi himself was then examined at great length. His statements, +covering the time from the fire down to the present moment, were clear +and positive. He knew nothing about the money; he had not given the bag +to Ben Seaver; had not spoken to him, except to pass the time of day +with him as an old acquaintance. When Dock and Mr. Fairfield declared +that Levi hated his uncle, Mrs. Fairfield disproved the statement by +adducing all the kind acts he had performed. + +Squire Cleaves, for the defendant, then reviewed the testimony for and +against his client. + +"It certainly has not been shown that Levi stole this money," said he. +"Nor has sufficient evidence been brought against him to render it +probable that he is guilty; not enough to justify your honor in +committing him for trial. This investigation has led us to follow the +bag from the captain's state-room to the hands of Ben Seaver. There we +are blocked, and can go no farther till this person's return from his +voyage. Mr. Watson proposes to charter a steamer, send her after the +fishing vessel, and bring back Ben Seaver. Then we can follow the bag +until it leads us to the feet of a conspiracy against my client." + +"It is not necessary to send any steamer after the witness," said the +justice. "The only evidence, in this long examination, which has been +brought against the prisoner, is, that the bag was found in his +state-room. It has been shown, conclusively, that he did not place it +there, and probably did not cause it to be placed there. The defendant +is discharged." And Squire Saunders rose from his seat at the table. + +The decision, though it had not been unexpected, caused a decided +sensation in the little audience assembled in the miser's chamber. Dock +Vincent was mad, Mr. Fairfield was in despair, and the constable was +disappointed. The victim had escaped, and the miser had obtained no +clew to the lost treasure. The justice took possession of the bag and +its contents, to be used when Ben Seaver returned. The audience +dispersed to talk over the event among themselves. + +Levi's friends, including Mr. Gayles, who had listened with the deepest +interest to the proceedings, were satisfied that the whole affair was a +conspiracy. Mr. Watson's theory was, that Dock Vincent had robbed the +miser himself, and had employed the absentee to place the bag in Levi's +room, intending himself to be on the way to Australia before Seaver +returned. As the matter stood, nothing could be proved. But Mr. Gayles +declared that he should watch Dock Vincent and a "certain other +person," whose name he declined to mention, by night and by day, until +some evidence was obtained. It was not enough to vindicate the +innocent; the guilty must be exposed and punished. + +"Then Levi didn't steal my money, arter all," said Mr. Fairfield to +Dock Vincent, after the other people had gone. + +"Yes, he did. Levi's smart, and knows how to cover up his work." + +"We don't know no more'n nothin' in the world what's come on't," sighed +Mr. Fairfield. + +"Levi's got it; and it will come to light yet," repeated Dock. + +"I donno whether he has or not." + +"That nigger lied all the way through. Folks that tell the truth don't +spin no sich yarns as he did. If I catch that nigger in the right +place, I'll pound him till he tells the truth, for Levi certainly +bribed him to tell that story. He didn't say a word about Ben Seaver on +board the vessel. He only did it to get his master out of a +scrape--that's all, you may depend upon it." + +"All I want's my money, and I don't keer much whether Levi took it or +not, if I only git it," groaned Mr. Fairfield. + +"Don't be alarmed, Squire Fairfield. You'll get your money one of these +days--every dollar of it, for Levi's got money enough to make up for +what he spends. I've got some one in a situation to keep watch of him, +and something'll leak out before long. You keep a stiff upper lip, +Squire Fairfield, and it'll all come out right in the end," added Dock, +as he turned to leave. + +"I don't feel quite so sartain as I did that Levi done it," replied Mr. +Fairfield. + +"Yes, he did, and that nigger got him out of the scrape. Levi's smart, +and so's the nigger. Wasn't it cunning for him to say the bag was given +him by a man who has gone off on a fishing voyage? I can see through +that trick with my eyes shut. I shall keep an eye on Levi, and on that +nigger too," said the comforter, as he left the room. + +Dock was sorely vexed at the result of the examination. He had been +confident that his victim would be committed for trial, but the +steward's testimony had saved him. He walked down towards his own +house; but he had not gone far before he discovered Mr. C. Augustus +Ebénier, going in the direction of the Point. With a little contrivance +on Dock's part, they came together out of sight and hearing of +everybody. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +HOTEL DE POISSON. + + +If Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier had been a prudent colored man, he would +have avoided the meeting which Captain Dock Vincent contrived to bring +about, by dodging around the rocks, and again appearing in the +principal path. But he was not a prudent colored man; and when he saw +the dangerous individual before him, though he might easily have turned +aside so as to avoid him, he did not do so. + +The steward was a very peaceable and well-disposed person on board the +yacht, and elsewhere, but under certain circumstances he was a +belligerent colored man. He had a very reasonable and decided objection +to being called a "nigger." He claimed that he was a gentleman, and +while he behaved like a gentleman, he declined to be insulted with +impunity. Mr. Ebénier saw the person who had applied this obnoxious +epithet to him during the examination. It is possible that his heart +beat a little quicker when he discovered the blackguard, as he regarded +him; but it is certain that he did not turn to the right or the left, +but proceeded on his way as though Dock had been a pygmy, instead of +the heavy, stout man he was. + +"See here, you nigger," Dock began, when the steward was within hailing +distance. + +"What do you want of me, you state-prison bird?" replied the colored +man. + +"What's that you say?" demanded Dock, angrily. + +"I asked you what you wanted of me, you state-prison bird," repeated +the steward. + +"We'll settle that here," said Dock, rolling up his sleeves. "I don't +allow any man, white or black, to insult me." + +"That's just my position exactly," added Mr. Ebénier, throwing off his +coat. "I don't allow any man, big or little, black or white, to insult +me." + +The unexpected readiness of the steward to settle the question on the +spot rather startled and perplexed Dock, and he did not appear to be +quite so ready to "pitch in" as he supposed he was. It is sometimes +true of individuals, as it is of nations, that a readiness to fight is +the surest guarantee of peace. + +"What do you mean by calling me a state-prison bird?" demanded Dock, in +less confident tones. + +"What do you mean by calling me a nigger?" retorted the steward. + +"Well, you are one--aren't you?" + +"Well, you are a state-prison bird--aren't you?" + +"Don't say that again!" said Dock, shaking his head. + +"I'll say it twenty-five times more, if you call me a nigger as many +times as that." + +"Aren't you a black man?" + +"I am; but my heart isn't half so black as yours. I'm not a nigger," +protested the colored man, stoutly; and it was evident in this instance +that the negro would fight, which was just the thing Dock didn't wish +him to do. + +"Whatever you are, I won't dirty my hands licking a nigger," added the +bully. + +"But I'll dirty mine by licking a state-prison bird, and you shall have +the satisfaction of being licked by a black man," said the steward, +stepping up towards his burly antagonist. + +"Cool off, cuffee; I was only joking with you," continued Dock, with a +mighty effort to laugh. + +"Don't call me cuffee. My name is C. Augustus Ebénier, and I am ready +to teach you good manners, without fee or reward." + +"Never mind, Mr. What's-your-name." + +"If you wish to apologize, do so, or I'll soil my boot by kicking you." + +"Apologize to a nigger!" exclaimed Dock. + +The steward kicked him. This was more than Dock could stand, and he +levelled a blow at the spunky assailant, which was parried. Dock was +heavy, but he was clumsy, and before he could repeat the stroke, the +hard fist of the colored man had settled under one of his eyes, leaving +its mark there--a black eye. The bully retreated under the stunning +force of the blow, and picked up a stone, which he hurled at his +opponent, but fortunately without hitting him. Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier +appeared to be satisfied with what he had done, and he did not follow +up his advantage, but picked up a stone, to intimate that two could +play at that game as well as one. + +"We'll settle this another time," said Dock, wiping his black eye. + +"You wanted to settle it now, and you have," replied the steward. "If I +can do anything more for you, all you have to do is to call me a +nigger, and I'll put your other eye into mourning." + +"I'll see you again," said Dock, in threatening tones, as he turned and +walked away towards his house. + +The steward put on his coat, and moved towards the landing-place, +beyond the chasm. Since the examination, he had been promenading the +town to see the place, or, what is quite as likely, to permit the +inhabitants to see him; for Mr. Ebénier was human, and his weak point +was a large estimate of his own consequence. He was on his way to the +Point to hail the yacht for a boat. + +He followed the path better satisfied with himself than we are with +him, for it is not the part of a gentleman to fight unless attacked, or +to return epithet for epithet. But he had hardly taken half a dozen +steps, before a stone, as big as a man's fist, struck him on the back +of the head, and he dropped senseless upon the rocks, not killed, or +even badly hurt, but effectually stunned. This was Dock Vincent's mode +of warfare--to hit a man behind his back. + +"Now you'll keep a civil tongue in your head for a while," said the +ruffian to himself, as he hastened towards his house. + +The steward lay still upon his bed of rocks. The sun had gone down, and +the darkness gathered over him; but no one appeared to render him any +assistance. The blow had been a heavy one, and the blood ran down the +back of his head from the flesh wound it had produced. + +When it was quite dark, Augustus, as he was called on board the yacht, +began to move and exhibit some signs of life; but a few minutes elapsed +before he had sufficiently recovered to rise. He got up, rubbed his +head, looked around him, and collected his ideas enough to know where +he was. He felt the blood on his head, but he was a strong-minded man, +and did not believe he was killed. He walked down to the landing-place, +and hailed the yacht without obtaining any response. He repeated the +call a dozen times with no better success. Either the crew were not on +board, or they had turned in for the night. + +Augustus was a man of the world, and his philosophy was equal to almost +any occasion. He could not get on board, and therefore he decided to +remain on shore, which exhibited a nicety of judgment worthy of +commendation and imitation. Removing his collar, he bathed his head and +neck in cold salt water, and was satisfied that his wound was not a +dangerous one. He congratulated himself that the stone had not hit him +in the face, and thus marred his personal beauty; for, being an +exquisite in his own way, this would have been the most fearful +calamity that could possibly have happened to him. + +After making himself presentable, so far as he could in the darkness, +and in the absence of a mirror, his first impulse was to find his +treacherous enemy, and punish him for his dastardly attack; for Mr. +Ebénier did not purpose to trouble Squire Saunders or the courts with +his affair. But he did not know where to find Dock, and was not aware +that he lived in the house nearest to the landing-place. He did not +exactly like the idea of passing the night in the open air, and it +would not be etiquette for him to apply to Mr. Watson or the captain +for a lodging. + +The steward was not only a philosopher, but a man of expedients. On his +way up to the town in the morning he had noticed a dilapidated +fish-house, at the head of a little inlet. This building would afford +him a shelter, if nothing more, for the night, and he repaired to its +friendly but inhospitable roof. Entering the fish-house, he groped +about for a suitable place to lie down, and blundered against a rickety +flight of stairs in one corner. Hoping to find better sleeping +accommodation in the loft than on the ground floor,--as literally it +was, being composed of earth and rocks,--he ascended the steps. The +stairs creaked and groaned, and it required some nerve to go up in the +dark; but the steward's courage was equal to the emergency. + +He found that it was not safe to walk about on the floor of the loft in +the dark, for the timbers groaned under his weight, and the boards were +full of holes and traps; but near the head of the stairs was an old +sail, which seemed to have been placed there for his especial +accommodation. Lying down on this, he wooed the slumber which his head, +still dizzy from the effects of the blow, required. + +"I'm all right now," said he to himself. "It smells fishy; I will call +it Hotel de Poisson, and go to sleep." + +While the steward was seeking a resting-place for his weary head, Dock +Vincent walked down to the Point to ascertain whether or not he had +killed his victim. He was gone, and the ruffian went home again. + +Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier could not go to sleep in his hotel as readily +as he desired; but, just as he was dropping off, he was startled by the +sound of voices, in low, suppressed tones, hardly above a whisper. He +heard footsteps, and then the dim light of a lantern shed its rays up +through the holes and cracks in the floor. In vain he tried to identify +the voices; the whispers did not enable him to do so. He dared not move +lest the creaking of the timbers should alarm the nocturnal visitors. + +He was satisfied that the persons below were engaged in some kind of +mischief, and it was his business to know what it was, and who the men +were. Near the centre of the loft there was a large hole in the floor, +and he commenced working himself by hundredth parts of an inch towards +it; but every time he moved, however slightly, the creaking joist +threatened to betray his presence, and he decided to satisfy himself at +once. One glance might inform him who the men were, and perhaps the +mystery of the stolen gold would be solved. + +The steward made a spring towards the aperture, throwing himself +forward upon his hands, so as to look down through the hole. He had +forgotten the ruinous condition of the Hotel de Poisson. His weight and +the force of his movement were too much for the strength of the rotten +wood; a timber gave way, and Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier was precipitated, +head first, through the hole he had made, and struck between the two +men, who sat each on a rock facing the other, with the light on the +ground between them. The lantern was smashed, and the two men uttered a +howl of terror. + +If the steward's head had struck one of the rocks it must have split it +open--the head, not the rock! He hit the ground, and, as it was, he was +again stunned, the men making a hasty escape without recognition. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +"OFT FROM APPARENT ILLS." + + +Doubtless a person with Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier's pretensions to +gentility should have sent down his card to the individuals engaged in +conference below before he went down himself; but the circumstances did +not permit the exercise of this degree of courtesy. In fact the steward +had no intention forcibly to intrude himself upon the persons below; +only to obtain a glance at them. He was a man of intelligence, and the +arrest of his captain, in whose character he had a becoming interest, +was enough to assure him that something was wrong. He had listened +patiently to the details of the examination, and while he was willing +to admit that the old man had been robbed of his gold, it never entered +his head that Levi was guilty of the crime. + +The muffled speech of the two men in the Hotel de Poisson, and the +unseemly hour they had chosen for their conference, suggested to the +steward that they had something to do with this robbery. He had vainly +endeavored to identify their voices, and as a last resort, failing to +obtain any information by other means, he decided to obtain one glance +at them at all hazards. Perhaps it was well for him that the timbers +broke beneath his weight, for the men, not relishing the intrusion, +might have subjected him to much bodily harm. + +As it was, they bolted as though an evil spirit had suddenly dropped +down between them from the upper regions. They were terribly +frightened, as indicated by their rapid flight. The steward had not +even obtained his coveted view of their faces and forms, and was no +wiser in the end than he was in the beginning. The treacherous timbers +had defeated his purpose, while, perhaps, they had saved him from a +greater calamity than his fall. + +For the second time that day, the steward lay senseless on the ground. +Though Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier was not wanting in intelligence, his +skull seemed to have a capability for enduring hard knocks which was +really surprising. Doubtless his head was his strong place; if it had +not been, his brains must have been dashed out. According to the +tradition, it was safer for him to strike on his head than on his +shins. Certainly he was not badly injured, and if reduced to extremity +he might have let out his head for use as a blacksmith's anvil. + +Before the two men who had been conferring together in the Hotel de +Poisson could muster courage to return, the steward had in a great +measure recovered from the effects of the fall. Perhaps the +superabundance of stars which dawned upon his vision had not all ceased +to shine; and perhaps his ideas, which had all been thrown into a +confused mass, were not altogether detached and restored to their +original channels; but Augustus was practically himself again. His +first thought was one of regret that he had failed to obtain a sight of +the two men; that he had not even learned whether they were black or +white, old or young, seamen or landsmen. + +He rubbed his head to relieve the pressure on his brain, and to vivify +his ideas. The incident which had occurred seemed to render the Hotel +de Poisson an unfit place for him to remain during the balance of the +night; but he was not willing to leave till he had examined the +locality, and obtained whatever evidence it might afford him in regard +to the mysterious couple who had met there. Kicking about the ground, +he disturbed the fractured glass of the lantern. The globe had been +broken, but the lamp was still whole. + +Though Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier had a great many bright parts, he was +inclined to be a "swell." He smoked a pipe on the forecastle of the +yacht, but when he walked through the principal streets of Rockport, in +his plaid pants and bobtail sack, he smoked an Havana cigar, with a +meerschaum mouthpiece, in deference to his huge mustache--it was more +genteel to smoke a cigar than a pipe. The steward carried a cigar case, +which always contained two or three of the choicest brand, and he +claimed to have brought them from Havana himself. In this case he also +carried matches, which now promised to serve him a better turn than for +the lighting of his cigar. + +In a moment he had the lamp from the lantern burning, and was looking +curiously and eagerly about the premises. The steward had an idea; +perhaps not a very brilliant one, but as brilliant as could be expected +of a man whose intellect had been so rudely jarred twice within a brief +period. The conduct of the two transient guests at the Hotel de Poisson +had been suspicious, to say the least. That afternoon the robbery had +been fully discussed, and he was confident that the visitors were in +some manner connected with that affair. His idea was, that the +fish-house had been used as a place of concealment for the plunder. He +made a hasty examination of the ground and the rocks which formed the +first floor of the Hotel de Poisson, but discovered nothing to confirm +his impression. + +The steward crossed the place to examine under the rickety stairs. On +his way he hit his head against a splintered board, which was hanging +from the floor above, partly detached by his movement through the +structure. It scratched the top of his head, already tender from rough +usage, and thereby vexed and angered him, as slight accidents often +ruffle even great minds. With a gesture of impatience, and a petulant +word not in good taste for a drawing-room, he seized the projecting +board, and gave it a savage wrench. + +Mr. Ebénier was not a poet himself, but he was fond of the poets, and +had perused Milton, Shakspeare, Beattie, Cowper, and Keats with real +pleasure, to say nothing of having read Corneille and Racine in the +original. The steward, therefore, was prepared to appreciate the poet's +sentiment, "Oft from apparent ills our blessings rise." His impatient +gesture and his petulant exclamation when the board scratched his head, +indicated that he regarded the accident as "an apparent ill;" but, as +he wrenched the board, a shot-bag, plethoric with gold coin, tumbled, +with a clinking clang, upon the ground at his feet, narrowly avoiding +his head, and thus saying him from being knocked senseless a third +time. + +The steward opened his eyes, and regarded the bag as the blessing. He +shook the board again, and another bag came this time. Then he pulled +it away, and the sail which had formed his bed in the loft rolled down. +Overhauling this, he found a third bag; and this was the last he could +find. Picking up the lamp till it blazed like a torch, he renewed the +search; but no more of these heavy blessings were available. + +Mr. Ebénier was satisfied, and he set his lamp down on the ground, +intending to open one of the bags, and ascertain the nature of its +contents. Under ordinary circumstances the steward would have been too +careful to set his lamp down so near a pile of dry seaweed as he did on +the present occasion. But his mind was, probably, so confused by the +hard knocks his head had received, and by the excitement of finding the +gold, that he took little note of his surroundings. His thought was +concentrated upon the bags of gold. He did not even think of the two +men whose conference he had disturbed, and did not seem to fear that +they would return and deprive him of his booty. + +He was about to untie the string of one of the heavy bags, when a +bright glare overspread the space before him. The pile of dry seaweed, +which had been used to cover a sail-boat in the winter, was all in a +light blaze. The steward tried to quench the flames with his feet, but +his efforts were unavailing. The dry stuff burned like shavings, and +the more he kicked, the more the fire leaped up and spit at him. He +fought the flames as long as his courage held out, and then he +"allowed" that the Hotel de Poisson was a doomed structure. + +Taking the money-bags, he retreated down the peninsula towards the +landing-place at the Point, lighted on his way by the burning building. +Crossing the plank, he reached the shore. There was a dory there, and +putting the three bags into it, the steward launched it, and pulled off +to the yacht. The treasure was conveyed to the cabin, and deposited +temporarily in a locker under a berth. The dory was towed back to the +shore, and placed where the steward had found it, that no early +fisherman might be deprived of his morning trip. Augustus was in a +flurry of excitement all this time, and had not even considered what he +should do with the bags. His present object was to secure the plunder +so that it could not be recovered by the robbers; and, having done +this, he was entirely satisfied with himself, and everybody else, +except Dock Vincent, to whom he owed a balance on account, for that +night's business. + +There was an alarm of fire on shore. The bright glare of the flames +from the Hotel de Poisson penetrated the windows of a house near Dock +Vincent's, and lighted up the bed-chamber of a sleeping stone-cutter. +He gave the alarm; the bells rang, the engines rattled, and the whole +town was aroused from its peaceful slumbers. Hundreds of men, who had +worked hard all day, lost two hours of sleep for an old shanty which +was not worth five dollars. + +The Hotel de Poisson was burned to the ground before many people had +gathered. Some good men thanked God that it had not been a poor man's +house; young men enjoyed the excitement of "running with the machine," +and those with an eye for the picturesque were thankful that the +unsightly shanty had been removed from a place where it disfigured the +landscape. No one appeared to be sorry; but every one wondered how the +fire had caught. Various conjectures were suggested; but, after all, no +one knew anything about it. Some thought a straggler had used it as a +lodging, and set it on fire in lighting his pipe. Others thought some +bad boys had set the fire for fun. + +If the two men who had met there to confer about their ill-gotten gold +were in the crowd, doubtless they were sadder and wiser men. Probably +they thought that the breaking of the lantern had communicated the +flame to the shanty. The people present knew nothing of the event in +the Hotel de Poisson wherein Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier had been the +principal actor. The finding of the half-melted remains of a lantern +had no significance or suggestiveness to them. The building burned up +clean, and there was nothing left of it but a few smoking timbers, and +a thin sprinkling of ashes on the ground and the rocks. + +If the robbers, whoever they were, went to the fire, it is more than +likely that they searched eagerly among the ruins for the gold. If they +did, they saw nothing which looked like the fused coins of the +treasure. The old sail, in which the gold appeared to have been +concealed, or which had been thrown over its place of concealment, was +burned to tinder, and there was not a vestige of the bags or the money. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +"LOSE HIS OWN SOUL!" + + +The steward of The Starry Flag, after he had returned the dory to the +rocks, and secured the jolly-boat of the yacht, had an opportunity to +rest his fevered, mixed-up brain, and to consider his next step. The +four seamen of the schooner slept on shore, at their own homes, and +there was no one on board but the cook, who slumbered heavily in the +forecastle, and did not hear Augustus when he conveyed the bags to the +cabin. + +Mr. Ebénier lighted a lamp, closed the cabin doors, and drew the silken +curtains over the ports in the upper part of the trunk, so that no one +could see what he was doing. Though it was not lawful for the steward +to use the wash-bowl in Mr. Watson's stateroom, he considered that the +present emergency would justify him in doing so. He performed his +ablutions with the utmost care, paying particular attention to his +wounded head. He then changed his clothing throughout, and devoted half +an hour to cleansing his plaid pants, which had been somewhat soiled by +contact with the burning seaweed. He even polished his boots before he +put them away. + +So far as cleanliness was concerned, the steward was a gentleman, which +no unclean person can be. Having completed his toilet, and removed all +signs of the operation from the state-room, he sat down on a locker in +the cabin. He was thinking of the extraordinary incidents of the night. +He was fully satisfied that he had found Mr. Fairfield's treasure, and +that the opportunity entirely to free his young captain from suspicion +was within his grasp. It was a pleasant thought; but, after all, who +was Captain Fairfield? Only a young fellow behind whose chair at dinner +he was privileged to stand. He had seen him for the first time but a +few days before, and he did not feel under any peculiar obligations to +him. + +Mr. Ebénier took the three bags of gold from the locker, and laid them +on the cabin table. It was midnight by the clock which hung in the +cabin--the dead hour of night, when all were sleeping. The fire on +shore had burned out, and all was still save the rolling sea. The +steward went to the door, opened it, passed up to the deck; there was +no one in sight, and hardly a light to be seen on the land. Returning +to the cabin, he poured out the contents of one of the bags on the +table, and proceeded to count the gold. It was a long job, and there +was more money than the steward had ever before seen together. On a +piece of paper he noted each hundred dollars with a tally-mark. His +last pile contained but fifty dollars. Counting up his marks, he made +thirty-eight of them; and the whole sum, according to his reckoning, +was thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars. + +The old man had lost four thousand dollars, and the steward, concluding +he had made a mistake, performed the agreeable task of counting the +gold a second time, but with the same result as before. After making +the allowance for the fifty dollars found in the captain's state-room, +the amount was one hundred dollars short. Mr. Ebénier had the impudence +to ask himself if this could be the miser's money, since it did not +hold out in the sum he had lost. But the bags were plainly marked, as +the fourth had been, "N. Fairfield," in the cramped handwriting of the +miser. Of course there could be no doubt in regard to the ownership of +the treasure, and Mr. Ebénier could not but wonder at the stupidity of +the thieves in hiding it in or under the old sail in the Hotel de +Poisson. But he did them the justice to conclude that it had only been +placed there for a short time, perhaps for but a few hours; at any +rate, their presence in the shanty indicated that it was to have been +removed during the night. + +It had been removed during the night! The steward chuckled when he +thought of it, but his capacious intellect was agitated by a great +moral question. Thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars was an immense +sum to a person in his station, who had never had even a hundred +dollars in his possession at one time. Honesty was a precious jewel, +but it was not possible for him to make thirty-eight hundred and fifty +dollars, at one stupendous haul, by being honest. He did not steal the +money. He did not rob the old man. If the steward had not suffered the +perils and discomforts of two broken heads, or rather one head broken +twice, the robbers, whoever they were, would doubtless have divided the +money between them, and the old man would never know what had become of +his cherished gold. + +Mr. Ebénier asked himself if this was not a freak of fortune in his +favor; if the money was not a providential compensation for his +twice-broken head. Thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars would be a +very handsome atonement for two such raps as he had received, and he +was Mammon-worshipper enough to feel willing that his head should be +pounded to a jelly at this rate, so long as the germ of his mighty +intellect was not extinguished. + +The steward was a man of exquisite tastes, and was ambitious for social +recognition and distinction. In Paris a colored man was just as good +as, if not a little better than, a white man. His former master, in +Louisiana, had believed in Paris, and seeing with his eyes, he had been +fully converted to his master's faith. Mr. Ebénier wanted to go to +Paris, wanted to live there, even as a waiter in a _café_, if no better +situation presented itself. With the money before him, he could realize +his dream of luxury and splendor. He could convert these half eagles +into napoleons, and revel like a prince in the gay metropolis of +France. He would wear the finest of broadcloth, eat the most sumptuous +of dinners, and saunter up and down the Champs Elysées like a +gentleman. In short, thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars, or nearly +twenty thousand francs in the currency of France, would make a +gentleman of him. + +Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier was sorely tempted. It might be only once in +his lifetime that such a chance to be a gentleman would be presented to +him. He could put the gold into his carpet-bag, walk over to +Gloucester, and take the first train for Boston. No one would know what +had become of him; or, if they did, he would not be suspected of having +the gold. But he would be missed, and his absence might cause a +commotion. It would be better not to leave at present. The money could +be concealed on board of the yacht, and when he was disposed to abandon +the vessel it would be within his reach. + +After more reflection on this important matter, the steward became +convinced that it would be safer and better to hide the gold on board. +At the stern of the vessel, under the standing-room, there was a space +not available for cabin use, which formed a kind of store-room for +extra supplies. It was reached by removing the cabin steps. The tempted +man entered this contracted and low apartment with the lamp in his +hand. He found a narrow aperture, which led to the space under the +cabin floor, where the ballast was deposited, and over which a board +had been nailed to prevent the odor of bilge water from penetrating the +apartment of the passengers. He removed this board, and reaching down +into the hold, placed the bags in a position where they were not likely +to be discovered, even by a person searching for them. Nailing on the +board again, he covered it with various articles, and returned to the +cabin. + +On the table lay a Bible, which the steward occasionally read. Though +it was now two o'clock in the morning, he was not sleepy; he was too +much excited to think of slumber. He opened the good book mechanically, +turned its leaves, and read a verse here and there; but he was thinking +all the time of the luxurious gayety of the French capital, and the +pleasures which thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars would purchase. + +"For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose +his own soul?" + +This was the last verse he read, and he closed the book, as though this +appeal of Holy Writ grated harshly on his feelings. + +"Lose his own soul," repeated he, almost in spite of himself. + +He tried to think of the Boulevards and the gardens of the Tuileries +again; but "lose his own soul" came up to his lips still, as though +some invisible power compelled him to whisper the impressive sentence. +He attempted to whistle, and then to sing an air; but "lose his own +soul" came up to his lips, and he could not help whispering the +sentence again. + +"This money don't belong to me," said he, in audible words. "I am not +the happy owner of this princely sum. Unto but few is it appointed to +be both rich and good-looking, and I am not of the number. I must be +contented with my good looks." + +It was no use to say it; he did not mean it, and the idea of Paris and +its luxuries still haunted his imagination. He turned in, but it was +only to think what thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars would +purchase; and "lose his own soul" not only came to his lips, but the +solemn sentence seemed to be printed, in sombre-hued capitals, all over +the cabin. He went to sleep at last; but "lose his own soul" followed +him into his dreams, yelled in the distance and muttered in his ears by +grinning demons, such as those with which his fancy peopled the realms +of the lost. But he slumbered uneasily till the sun was far up on his +day-journey. When he went on deck, he saw The Starry Flag, Jr. almost +alongside. Captain Fairfield and the four seamen came on board. + +The young skipper announced that the trip to the eastward, which had +been postponed from the day before, would be commenced at once, and the +party would be on board at eight o'clock. The steward had enough to do +to keep his hands, if not his mind, engaged in making preparations for +the occupants of the cabin. At the time appointed the party came on +board, and the yacht sailed on her cruise. + +Our story need not follow them during the ten days to which the trip +was prolonged. It is enough to say that the party enjoyed every moment +of the time. Even Mrs. Watson, who had no taste for the sea, was +delighted; for Levi, at her request, was careful to bring the yacht to +anchor in smooth water every night, and to stay in port when the sea +was very rough. + +During those ten days Mr. Ebénier considered and reconsidered, and then +considered again, what he should do with the money that had so +strangely come into his possession. He was disposed to use it; but the +gospel sentence thundered in his ears, and trembled upon his lips, and +rolled like the chariot of an avenger through his mind. Once or twice +he was on the point of telling the captain all about the gold, but the +vision of Parisian luxury checked him. + +When the yacht entered Sandy Bay, the Caribbee lay anchored off the +Point, and The Starry Flag moored a couple of cables' length from her. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ANOTHER LITTLE PLAN. + + +When The Starry Flag returned from her pleasant excursion to the +eastward, Mr. Fairfield had so far recovered from the effects of his +fall as to be out, and to be making his preparations again to catch +dog-fish. It seemed to him to be absolutely necessary that he should +make some more money. He felt like a poor man, and his stocks and +bonds, notes and mortgages, afforded him but little comfort. His heart +seemed to have been lost with the four thousand in gold. + +When the yacht made her moorings, the old man was at the landing-place, +getting ready to go dog-fishing the next day. His bones still ached, +and nothing but bitter necessity could have induced one so feeble as he +was to think of going off in a dory, miles from the shore, braving the +perils of ocean and storm. He believed that poverty and want stared him +in the face, and that he must go to the poorhouse if he did not make an +effort to retrieve his great misfortune. + +Dock Vincent was never far off when a vessel came into port; and, +though he was very busy in making the preparations for his departure, +he hastened down to the Point when The Starry Flag hove in sight. + +"That's Levi's vessel, Squire Fairfield," said he. + +"I s'pose 'tis," replied the old man, casting an indifferent glance to +seaward. + +"I sold my house to-day, Squire Fairfield," continued Dock, seating +himself by the shore. + +"Did ye? What d'ye git for 't?" + +"Fifteen hundred dollars. It was worth two thousand; but, as I'm going +to Australia right off, I couldn't afford to hold it for a better +price." + +"You'll have a good deal of money to kerry off with you." + +"Not much. I paid six thousand for that vessel, and she's dog-cheap at +that; but I shall make my fortune in her, carrying passengers." + +"I hope you will, for you've done well by me, though you didn't find my +money;" and the old man sighed heavily. "I reckon I shall never see +nothin' more on't." + +"I'm afraid you never will, Squire Fairfield. That nigger lied so like +all possessed that Levi got clear, and then we couldn't do anything. +I'm afraid it's too late to do anything more. I calculate that nigger +and Levi understand one another pretty well. They fixed things between +them, and I'm just as sure as I can be that your money went off in that +vessel." + +"In the yack?" + +"Yes, in the yacht," replied Dock, warmly. "It was stowed away +somewhere in her; but I suppose they have got rid of it by this time." + +"You think I shan't never see it again," groaned the old man, with a +piteous expression on his thin face. + +"I'm sorry to say I don't think you ever will, Squire Fairfield." + +"Then I'm a ruined man! I can't afford to lose four thousand dollars. +It was e'enamost all I had, and I don't see but I must go to the +poorhouse." + +Dock Vincent took off his hat, rubbed his head, gazed upon the ground, +and seemed to be in deep thought for several minutes. So was the miser +in deep thought--brooding over his lost treasure. + +"Squire Fairfield, when I begin to do a thing I always do it, sooner or +later," said Dock, glancing doubtfully at the old man. + +"You didn't find my money," added Mr. Fairfield. + +"No; but I'm going to find it, or some more just like it. Squire +Fairfield, I can put you in the way of making twenty thousand dollars +just as easy as you lost that four thousand." + +"You don't say!" exclaimed the old man, his sunken eyes glowing at the +suggestion. + +"I can; there isn't any doubt about it." + +"You don't mean to steal it--do you?" + +"Steal it! You don't think I'd steal--do you? If you do, I won't say +anything more about my little plan." + +Another little plan! + +"Well, no; I never knowed you to steal nothin'." + +"Twenty thousand dollars is a good deal of money, Squire Fairfield." + +"So 'tis--more 'n I ever expect to see." + +"But you shall see it, and have it, if you will take hold of my little +plan." + +"What is't?" asked the old man, curiously and eagerly. + +"It's something we must keep still about. I'm going to make my fortune +out of it, and yours too." + +"What do you want to keep still for, ef you ain't go'n' to steal it?" + +"I see it's no use to talk with you," said Dock, petulantly. "If you +think I'd steal, I can't depend upon you, or you upon me. So there's an +end of it." + +Dock rose from his seat, looked at The Starry Flag, which was just +coming to anchor, and then began to walk up the Point; but he expected +to be called back, and he was not disappointed. + +"Why don't you tell me on't, so I can know what you're go'n' to do?" +demanded the miser. + +"I shall not say anything to you. I don't think I can trust you. The +business isn't all regular; but it isn't stealing," protested Dock. + +"You can trust me, Cap'n Vincent, jest as long as you can trust +anybody. You know I never says nothin' to nobody about business. I +allers keeps things to myself," whined Mr. Fairfield. + +"Will you keep this to yourself?" + +"Sartin, I will." + +"'Pon honor?" added Dock, earnestly. + +"Yes; 'pon honor. Nobody ever knowed me to say nothin' about business. +I never trust nobody, not even my wife, with business matters." + +"Sit down, squire, and we'll talk it over between us," replied Dock, +apparently satisfied with the old man's promise. + +Mr. Fairfield, with some difficulty, seated himself on the rock, and +with glaring eyes--so interested was he in a project which was to put +twenty thousand dollars in his pocket--he listened to the rather prolix +explanations of his companion. For twenty thousand dollars he would +have sold his soul; but he was timid. + +"I never fail in doing a thing without wanting to try it over again," +Dock began. "I always put things through when I begin upon them." + +The old man was not quite sure of this, but he did not interrupt the +speaker. + +"Three years ago twenty thousand dollars slipped through my fingers +just as easy as though the money had been greased," continued Dock. + +"I didn't know on't." + +"Yes, you did. Watson had his money all ready to pay over to me when I +had the girl before, and if Levi Fairfield hadn't come between me and +him, I should have had the money. Now, Squire Fairfield, I'm going to +try that over again; and I'm not going to fail this time. I've got +things fixed so that I can't fail." + +"I donno about that," said the old man. + +"I know, and I'm just as certain about it as though the thing was done +already. But I'm not going to tell you anything more about it than I'm +obliged to, and then you won't know anything about it, and can't be +held responsible for it." + +"I don't see how I'm go'n' to make any money by it," interposed the +miser, who was more interested in this part of the plan than any other. + +"Don't you, squire? How much money do you suppose Watson's worth?" + +"I donno." + +"More than a million! I know that to be a fact; and I shouldn't wonder +if he was worth two millions: folks in Boston think he is." + +"He's spendin' on't all on yacks and sech things." + +"What that yacht cost to him is no more than a copper to you and me. He +don't mind a hundred thousand dollars any more than you would half a +cent." + +"Not so much!" + +"But he don't believe in throwin' on't away." + +"I'm going to bleed him just seventy thousand dollars--fifty thousand +for myself, and twenty thousand for you." + +"I don't see how it's go'n' to be done." + +"He shall pay the money over to you; that's what I want you for." + +"Then they'll ketch me, and put me in jail," suggested the old man, +timorously. + +"Nonsense! They won't do it. The whole matter will be between you and +Watson. You won't know anything about the business--not a thing. All +you've got to do is to take the money and keep it till I call for it. +After the girl has been gone a month or two, he will be glad to give +you twice as much as I ask. I shall get her aboard the Caribbee." + +"How you go'n' to do it? She won't go with you, any more'n she'll go +with the evil sperit." + +"I'll take care of that. You are to know nothing about it. I shall +leave things so that Mr. Watson will go to you, and offer to pay the +money without your saying a word about it beforehand. All you have to +do is to keep what he gives you till I call for it." + +"I donno about it." + +"It's all right. We shan't hurt the girl. She shall have a good +state-room, and my wife will be on board to see to her. I tell you I'm +going to have this thing done over again." + +"Where's Levi go'n' to be all this time? He sticks to the gal all the +time, and if you git her off, he'll follow you way round the world." + +"He won't know anything about it; besides, I calculate he'll be in jail +for stealing your money before that time." + +"You don't think so!" + +"Yes, I do; I'm going to fix that nigger, and I'll bet Levi won't have +his wool to hold on to much longer." + +"But I don't understand nothin' about this business, Cap'n Vincent," +said the old man, doubtfully. + +"I don't want you to understand anything about it. It's all right as it +is. When the money comes, you hold on to it." + +"Ain't you go'n' off to Australia?" + +"Of course I am." + +"Then how you go'n' to git the money?" + +"Leave all that to me," replied Dock, impatiently. "If you don't know +anything, you'll keep out of trouble. You will make your twenty +thousand dollars out of it, and that ought to satisfy you. Now, Squire +Fairfield, there's only just one thing more to be done." + +"What's that?" + +"I'll give you a chance to make another ten thousand, if you like." + +The old man's eyes brightened again, as he asked how it was to be done. + +"I find I'm going to be a little short fitting out. I'm going to take +out some notions to sell that will pay me five dollars for one; but I +haven't got the money to do it," continued Dock. + +The old man's chin dropped, and he looked sad and sorrowful. + +"I want ten thousand dollars more than I've got. I shall make forty +thousand out of the venture, and I can afford to pay a heavy interest. +I will give you ten thousand for the use of ten thousand." + +"I hain't got no sech money," protested the miser. + +"But you can raise it." + +"I ain't sure of ever gittin' on't back." + +"Yes, you are. You will lend me ten thousand dollars, and then take +twenty thousand out of my fifty when Watson pays it over to you." + +"Perhaps he never'll pay it over to me." + +"You may be sure he will. If he don't, he never will see his daughter +again. He will be glad of the chance to pay it. But if he don't, you +know, you shall have my note, and I will pay it as soon as I've turned +my notions." + +Mr. Fairfield, eager as he was to make the ten thousand dollars, had no +more idea then of letting the sum asked for pass out of his hands than +he had of giving away that amount. It was not his style to let money go +from him without the best of security. The approach of a boat +interrupted Dock's argument, and the old man promised to think of the +proposition. + +"I shall not want that dory any more, and I'll give it to you, Squire +Fairfield," said Dock, hoping his munificence would touch the +money-lender's heart, as he walked away. + +"I'm much obleeged to you; it will sarve me a good turn," replied Mr. +Fairfield. + +"Think over my offer, and I'll see you again soon," added Dock, as he +passed out of hearing. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PISTOLS FOR TWO. + + +It was about three o'clock in the afternoon when The Starry Flag +arrived from her cruise. Her passengers were immediately landed; and, +after the vessel had been put in order, the four young men who lived in +Rockport were permitted to go on shore; and the cook went with them, +intending to return in the evening with the boat. The steward did not +wish to visit the town, and remained on board as ship-keeper. + +Mr. Ebénier was so polite and attentive to the wants of the passengers, +and, above all, used such choice language, that he had become quite a +favorite. Bessie, who had made considerable progress in her French, was +delighted with him, as well because he was an original character, as +because he anticipated all her wants. She talked French with him; +indeed, all except Levi used the "polite language" at the table to a +great extent. The steward was treated with a great deal of +consideration by all the occupants of the cabin. This was what he most +desired, and after the party had been on board two or three days, he +ceased to think of leaving the yacht before the close of the season. +Such a friend as Mr. Watson was worth more than the contents of the +three bags concealed in the vessel's run. + +But ever since he had placed the treasure in its hiding-place, the +gospel malediction, "lose his own soul," had been thundering in his +ears. The temptation was a strong one; but the steward had thus far +been an honest man, and the present seemed to be the crisis of his +lifetime. The kindness and consideration of the captain and his +passengers won his heart, and he had determined that Levi, in the words +with which he clothed the idea, should be triumphantly vindicated. + +Mr. Ebénier reasoned that his captain could not be vindicated by simply +returning the gold to the old man, his uncle. The two men whom he had +failed to identify in the Hotel de Poisson must be discovered; and he +determined to find them, if it were possible. On this subject he had +some views of his own, and he concluded to let the gold remain where it +was until he could institute an investigation: we use the gentleman's +own words, subsequently uttered. + +The steward dared not leave the yacht when the others went on shore. If +he had not recognized the two men, they had probably recognized him. +They must suppose he had taken possession of the money, and they would +expect to find it if an opportunity to search the yacht was afforded to +them. Mr. Ebénier did not intend to give them any such opportunity; +therefore he remained on board. He went farther than this. The robbers +might come on board while he was there alone, overpower him, and thus +regain their plunder. The steward kept a revolver in his carpet-bag; +for, being a man of varying fortunes, he was liable at any time to be +in a situation to need such a weapon. He took the pistol from the bag, +loaded it, and put it into his pocket. It was his duty, as ship-keeper, +to defend the vessel in the absence of the captain; and the weapon gave +him a strong assurance of safety. + +From his house Dock Vincent watched the movements of the crew of the +yacht. Levi and five men had landed; consequently the steward must be +on board alone. But he had decided to pay him a visit, whether alone or +not. In Dock's classic speech, he was "going to fix that nigger," and +he was watching for the opportunity to do the "fixing." One of the +Caribbee's boats was at the landing, and as soon as the crew of the +yacht had landed, he pulled off to her. His coming was not unexpected, +and Mr. Ebénier, in spite of the injuries he had received at the hands +of the visitor, was as smooth and polite as though his temper had never +been ruffled. + +"Steward, I want to talk with you a little while," said Dock, as, +without an invitation, he stepped upon the deck of the yacht. + +"Though I have no particular inducements to condescension, so far as +you are concerned, I am willing, in this instance, to gratify you," +replied Mr. Ebénier, graciously. + +"If you don't object, we will go down into the cabin, where we shall +not be interrupted," added Dock. + +"Though it is not customary to admit any but gentlemen into the cabin, +I shall be happy to waive the rule in this instance, as all our people +are on shore," answered Mr. Ebénier, as he led the way to the cabin. + +Dock Vincent paid no attention to the polished insults of the steward, +but seated himself on a stool, at the side of the table. Mr. Ebénier +took his place opposite the guest. + +"Now, Captain Dock Vincent, I am entirely at your service," said the +steward. + +"It won't take a great while to get off what I want to say," Dock +began, putting a very uncompromising look upon his ugly face. "I +suppose you know the old man that lost the money." + +"I have not the honor to be personally acquainted with him, but I am +informed that he is the paternal uncle of Captain Levi Fairfield." + +"That's so; and Levi has treated him in the most shabby manner." + +"Permit me to interrupt you, Captain Vincent," interposed the steward. +"It would not be possible for Captain Fairfield to treat any person in +a shabby manner, certainly not his own uncle." + +"On that point we differ, steward; but let me say what I was going to +say." + +"Proceed, Captain Vincent. I simply refuse to indorse your statement, +and I protest against it." + +"All this is neither here nor there. To come right down to the p'int, +the old man lost four thousand dollars in gold. I'm trying to help him +find it. I know just as well as I know anything, that Levi stole that +money. All the circumstances go to show that he did, letting alone the +fact that one of the bags was found in his state-room." + +"Not without an earnest protest can I permit my worthy captain to be +maligned in this unjustifiable manner. On my own responsibility I +declare that your statement is utterly false." + +"I am satisfied it's just as I say," persisted Dock. "Now, we'll go a +p'int closer to the wind. I'm almost certain that the gold Levi stole +is hid aboard this vessel." + +"And you wish to search the yacht for it?" added the steward. + +"That's just my idea," replied Dock, promptly. + +"Permitting such a search would be an acknowledgment, on my part, of +the possibility of my worthy captain's guilt; therefore I cannot suffer +such an investigation to be instituted." + +"Well, steward, whether you are going to suffer it or not, it's going +to be done," said Dock, savagely. "I didn't come off here, this time, +to be fooled with. I know the gold's on board, and I'm going to have +it." + +"You know it," repeated the steward, calmly. + +"Yes, I know it." + +"So do I," added Augustus, quietly. + +"You do!" exclaimed Dock. "I knew you did! I've been satisfied all +along that you knew all about it, and that you was helping Levi cover +up his guilt. I suppose he was going to give you something for it." + +"One of your statements, namely, that the money is on board of this +yacht, is assuredly correct; but your theory, your logic, your +premises, and your conclusions are undoubtedly false and absurd," said +the steward, a cheerful smile playing beneath his huge mustache. + +"Isn't the gold here?" demanded Dock, impatiently. + +"It is." + +"Then quit your flabbergast, and talk in plain English. Of course Levi +stole it." + +"Not he!" + +"Who did, then?" + +"You and another person. Excuse me, Captain Vincent, if my remarks seem +too personal; but I have a theory of my own, which, with your +permission, I will unfold to you. Have a glass of cold water, sir?" + +The steward filled a tumbler from the ice pitcher, and politely +tendered it to the guest. + +"No; I don't want any; go on with your yarn," growled Dock, sourly, for +he desired to ascertain what the steward knew. + +"We need use no undue haste in our deliberations," replied Augustus, as +he drank the glass of water. + +"Go on, and don't talk any flabbergast." + +"The money was stolen by you and another person." + +"Humph! What other person?" + +"To be entirely candid with you, I do not yet know who the other person +is; but a certain contingent event will expose him." He referred to the +return of the fishing vessel, with Ben Seaver, who had handed him the +bag. "You and the other person--to me at present unknown--stole the +money, and concealed it in the Hotel de Poisson." + +"In the what?" + +"I refer to the fish-house, which was consumed in the conflagration of +ten days ago. After you had knocked me down by hurling a stone at me in +the basest and most unchivalrous manner, on my recovery from the +effects of the blow, I went to the fish-house to sleep, being too late +to return on board. I was in the loft when you and the other person +were below. The floor broke, and I had the misfortune to be +precipitated upon you and your companion in infamy. You ran away; but I +found the gold, and brought it on board. This is my theory, Captain +Dock Vincent." + +"This is all a lie!" gasped Dock, putting his hand into his side +pocket. + +"On the contrary, it is all the sacred truth." + +"See here, steward; you can't fool me. I want that money." + +"Allow me to inform you that you cannot have it. In due time it shall +be restored to the rightful owner." + +"I can and will have it," said Dock, fiercely, as he took a revolver +from his pocket, and pointed it at the head of the steward. + +"I think not," replied Mr. Ebénier, producing his revolver; and, +straightening out his legs under the table, he threw himself into an +attitude as impudent as the human form could assume, while upon his +face played an expression of smiling assurance, which took the ruffian +all aback. + +Dock's hand trembled, and the pistol vibrated in his grasp, as he +looked in dismay at the steward's weapon, all capped and cocked, as his +own was not--a circumstance which probably helped Mr. Ebénier in +keeping so cool and self-possessed. + +"Why don't you fire, Captain Dock Vincent?" taunted the steward. "If +you move you are a dead man!" + +[Illustration: IN THE CABIN OF THE YACHT.--Page 182.] + +At this moment a boat touched the side of the vessel; and while the two +men were confronting each other as described, Levi entered the cabin. +He was startled by the array of deadly weapons presented to him as he +descended the steps; but neither Dock nor the steward appeared to +notice him, for each was afraid the other would fire if his attention +was for an instant diverted. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE GOLD RESTORED. + + +Levi could see no good reason why Dock Vincent and the steward of the +yacht should be such deadly enemies as to draw pistols on each other. +He had come on board for a travelling bag, which Bessie had left in her +state-room, and he was not prepared for the scene that met his view in +the cabin. + +"What are you about, Augustus?" demanded he. + +But the steward was obliged to attend to the ugly customer opposite him +at the table, and he made no reply--a piece of rudeness, however, which +he regretted as an absolute necessity. + +"Captain Dock Vincent, I will trouble you to lay your weapon on the +table," said the steward. "If you don't do it, I will fire." + +Dock did it. + +"Pardon me, Captain Fairfield, for my rudeness in not replying to your +question," continued Augustus. + +"I asked you what you were about," repeated Levi. + +"I was about to shoot this ruffian, and I should have done so if I had +not happened to observe, in good time, that his weapon was not in +condition to go off." + +Dock Vincent rose from his seat, leaving his revolver on the table. +Probably he had not expected to use it, believing the sight of it would +be sufficient to intimidate the steward, and induce him to give up the +three bags of gold. He looked at the colored man, then at Levi. The +former had dropped his revolver, seeing which the ruffian walked +towards the cabin door. As the movement was not opposed, he ran up the +steps, jumped into his boat, and pulled for the Caribbee. + +Levi again impatiently demanded an explanation of the scene he had +witnessed. The steward, commencing back at the day of the examination, +related, in his prolix and grandiloquent speech, all the events in +which he had been the chief actor, up to the current incident of the +day. He did not confess that he had been tempted to steal the money, +for he regarded the overcoming of the temptation as a sufficient +virtue, without the humiliation of exposing his own weakness. + +"Then the gold is on board now!" exclaimed the astonished Levi. + +"Yes, sir; it is concealed in the run," replied Augustus. + +"Why didn't you tell me of all this before?" + +"Because I wished to find the men that stole the money. I thought I +could do it better alone than I could with the constables, or anybody +else," answered Augustus; but he hung his head as he thought of the +dishonest purpose he had cherished. + +He had resisted the temptation, but his conscience was sensitive enough +to make him regret that he had even been tempted to steal. + +Levi was thoughtful and troubled. The triumphant vindication of his +captain which the steward had promised himself to bring about was not +likely to be realized. The gold was on board of the yacht, and could be +restored to Mr. Fairfield; but the vessel had been searched for it, and +restoring it looked more like confirming the vile charge against him +than like disproving it. Perhaps it would be better for his reputation +to keep the money until the return of Ben Seaver; but Levi could not +believe it was right to retain the gold even a single day. He was +honest and true, and he determined to do his duty before God and man, +letting his reputation take care of itself. + +He directed the steward to bring out the bags from their hiding-place. +The name on the tow-cloth, in his uncle's cramped writing, assured him +there could be no mistake in regard to the ownership. The steward told +him there was thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars in the bags--one +hundred and fifty dollars less than the sum lost. The robbers had +probably taken out one hundred dollars for present use, and fifty for +the snare which was to intrap the captain of the yacht. One of the bags +had been emptied, and its contents distributed among the other three. + +The gold was transferred to the boat, the cabin doors and forward +scuttles were locked, and Levi, accompanied by the steward, pulled +ashore, and landed at Mr. Watson's house. + +The exciting story of the recovery of the money was repeated, and the +young skipper declared his intention to restore the bags to Mr. +Fairfield. Mr. Watson volunteered to go with him on this interesting +errand. With the bags in his hands, Levi entered the kitchen, where his +uncle was seated, followed by his constant friend. + +"There is your money, uncle Nathan," said he, as he placed the bags on +the table. + +"What! the gold?" demanded the miser, with breathless eagerness. + +"Yes, sir, the gold," replied Levi. + +"All of it?" gasped the old man, rising from his chair, while his frame +trembled under the excitement of the moment. + +"All but one hundred and fifty dollars." + +"I think you ought to give me back the whole on't, Levi." + +"Fifty dollars more of it is in the hands of Squire Saunders." + +"But then there's a hund'ed gone," added the old man, as he clutched +the bags, and raised them to test their weight. + +"I suppose the thieves took a hundred dollars of the money," said Levi. + +"Who's the thieves?" + +"I don't know who they are; but I think they will be discovered in due +time. The steward of the yacht found these bags in the old fish-house +that was burned." + +Mr. Watson and Levi had agreed that the ends of justice would best be +answered by saying no more than this at present. Both of them were +satisfied that Dock Vincent was one of the robbers, but unfortunately +there was no evidence that connected him with the crime. Though he had +gone on board the yacht, and demanded the gold of the steward, he had +done so in the name of the owner; and the act was consistent with his +position as the agent of Mr. Fairfield. + +The old man asked a great many questions, but he obtained only the +facts; all theories and suspicions were suppressed. Mr. Watson had sent +the steward for Mr. Gayles, and before they left the miser's house he +arrived; and the party proposed to visit the fish-house, and examine +the premises, in search of any evidence that might be obtained. + +Though Mr. Fairfield was overjoyed to find his gold, his satisfaction +did not prevent him from growling sorely at the loss of the hundred +dollars. He insisted that Levi ought to make it up to him. He followed +the party out of the house, and would have gone to the ruins of the +Hotel de Poisson with them, if Dock Vincent, who had just landed, had +not joined him. + +The steward told his story over again; and the metallic parts of the +lantern, which still remained there, were a partial confirmation of the +truth of it. Mr. Gayles took possession of these pieces, hoping to be +able to prove something by them. While they were still discussing the +matter, Dock Vincent and Mr. Fairfield joined them. + +"If you make up that hund'ed dollars, Levi, I won't say nothin' more +about it," whined the old man. + +"I shall not do so, uncle Nathan," replied Levi. + +"Certainly not," added Mr. Watson. + +"He ought to do it," interposed Dock. "He stole the money, and the +least he can do is to give it all back." + +"I do not wish to hold any conversation with you on the subject," +answered the merchant, coldly. + +"I suppose you don't," sneered Dock. "It has all turned out just as I +said it would. Levi stole the money, and got that black steward to help +him when he was like to be found out. I knew, all the time, that money +was on board the yacht; and Squire Fairfield may thank me for getting +it for him. I made the steward own up that the gold was on board; and +after that Levi didn't dare to keep it any longer. I suppose you don't +want to say anything more about it after that." + +"Not to you," added Mr. Watson, as he walked away, followed by his +companions. + +"There, Squire Fairfield, you can see them sneaking off like +sheep-stealers," said Dock. "It's just as I tell you, you may depend +upon it; and if Levi don't make up that hundred, I should put him +through a course of sprouts." + +"He ought to gim me the whole of the money," replied Mr. Fairfield, who +accepted Dock's explanation in regard to the recovery of the gold. + +"I reckon you'll get it yet. But, Squire Fairfield, I expect I shall +get off in two or three days now, and I want that money I spoke to you +about," added Dock, as they walked towards the road. "I am going to +sail for New York first, buy the goods there, and then go to Australia. +You are going to make thirty thousand dollars out of me, and you can +afford to accommodate me a little. I expect you will get the whole +thirty thousand before I sail from New York; I know you will." + +Dock talked half of that night to the old man, and finally persuaded +him to raise the sum he required. The gold which had been restored to +him made up a large portion of it, and the next day he obtained the +rest. The emigrant had sold his house, and disposed of his furniture to +the buyer, who was to have possession as soon as Dock sailed. + +While Mr. Fairfield and his villanous companion were discussing the +loan, Mr. Gayles called at Dock's house, after dark, to borrow a +lantern, having ascertained that he had recently purchased one at a +store in town. + +"We haven't any lantern now," replied Mrs. Vincent. + +"I thought you had one. Captain Vincent bought one not long ago," added +the constable. + +"Well, he hasn't any now. I'm sure I don't know what's become of it. It +may be he left it on board of the vessel. He never said what had become +of it." + +Without having proved the fact, Mr. Gayles was satisfied that Dock's +lantern was the one broken by the steward when he fell from the loft of +the fish-house. The parts he had taken from the ruins corresponded, in +size and form, with one which the shopkeeper declared was like that he +had sold Dock. The constable worked hard to obtain evidence enough to +warrant the arrest of Dock before he sailed for Australia; but Squire +Cleaves declared that the lantern was not sufficient. + +On the day after Dock obtained the money from Mr. Fairfield, he moved +his family on board of the Caribbee, which had already cleared at the +custom-house. Mr. Gayles was alarmed lest he should escape, and +hastened to Squire Cleaves for advice. + +"We must not let him go," said the lawyer. "Where is that colored man, +Mr. Ebénier?" + +"I saw him at Mr. Watson's house ten minutes ago." + +"Bring him to me." + +The steward was brought to him, and he was induced to make a charge +against Dock of assault and battery. A warrant was obtained, and Mr. +Gayles, with a sufficient posse, went to the Caribbee to arrest him. +His wife, and a man whose name was not known, but who was said to be a +passenger in the schooner, declared that he had gone to New York on +business, and the vessel would not sail till his return. Certainly Dock +was not on board, and it was ascertained at the depot that he had taken +the train for Boston. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +MAT MOGMORE. + + +Mr. Gayles watched the Caribbee night and day; but he saw nothing of +Dock Vincent. Mr. Fairfield said his neighbor and friend had informed +him, several days before, of his intention to go to New York. The +constable was forced to believe that the people on board his vessel had +told the truth, and he could only wait for his return. Of course the +Caribbee would not sail on her long voyage without him, and there +seemed to be but little danger of losing his man. + +The only strange circumstance was, that Dock had sent his family on +board of the vessel; but he had not much consideration for his wife and +children, and would not scruple to add a week of confinement to the +three or four months' duration of the proposed voyage. The man on +board, who was said to be a passenger, and was a stranger in Rockport, +appeared to take a lively interest in the affairs of the vessel and her +owner. It was surmised that, as Dock was not a skilful navigator, he +had been employed to furnish the science for the vessel. Neither he nor +any one on board professed to know when Dock would return, or when the +Caribbee would sail. + +On Monday evening, when Dock had been gone three days, Levi had taken +tea at Mr. Watson's, and was reading the daily paper, which the +merchant had brought from Boston. + +"That's too bad!" suddenly exclaimed the young skipper, dropping the +paper, and looking at Bessie. + +"What's too bad, Levi?" she asked. + +"There's to be a yacht race in Portland harbor to-morrow, at eleven +o'clock, to sail for a silver pitcher." + +"I do not see anything wicked in that," laughed Bessie. + +"Nor I; but it is wicked that I did not know of it before. I am sure +The Starry Flag will beat anything of her size this side of New York; +and I am provoked to think I did not know of this race sooner, for a +silver pitcher would be a very handsome ornament for our cabin." + +"Is it too late now?" asked Mr. Watson. + +"The race comes off at eleven, to-morrow forenoon, and five yachts have +already entered," answered Levi, glancing at the paper again. + +"Well, haven't you time to sail down there before the race?" + +"If we sail to-night we have time enough. We can get there in ten hours +with a good breeze; with a stiff one, in six," replied Levi, beginning +to be excited. + +"How is the wind now?" + +"About west--a six-knot breeze." + +"Let us start at once, then. I had as lief sleep on board the yacht as +on shore," said Mr. Watson. + +"O, do go!" exclaimed Bessie. + +"Do go!" repeated Mr. Watson, laughing. "Do you expect to sail in a +regatta, Bessie?" + +"To be sure I do! I must go, father! I have been longing, ever since we +had the yacht, to sail in a real live race." + +"But, Bessie, we must make a night run to Portland." + +"So much the better! I shall enjoy it above all things. My state-room +on board is just as good as my chamber up stairs, and I like it +better." + +"Your aunt Mary is sick, and cannot go with you," suggested her father, +alluding to Mrs. McGilvery. + +"But you are going, father," persisted Bessie. + +"True, I am; but----" + +"Do let me go, father." + +"I suppose you must go if you insist upon it." + +"I do insist with all my might!" exclaimed Bessie, delighted with the +prospect. + +"It will take us a couple of hours to get ready," said Levi, as he +looked at his watch; "but we can get off by ten o'clock. The only +difficulty I can see is, that yachts must be entered on the day before +the race;" and he picked up the newspaper again. + +"We must get over that somehow," replied Mr. Watson, who seemed to be +quite as much interested as Levi and his daughter. + +"How? With the best breeze we can expect, we can hardly reach Portland +before six in the morning." + +"While you are getting the yacht ready, I will ride over to Gloucester, +and telegraph to a friend of mine in Portland, who will have The Starry +Flag entered to-night." + +"That will do it splendidly!" exclaimed Bessie, delighted to have the +obstacle removed. + +"The cook and steward are on board, but the hands are all at home," +said Levi. "I will go and find them." + +Mr. Watson rang the bell, and ordered the horse and buggy. Bessie went +to her room to prepare for the cruise, and Levi hastened over to Mr. +Mogmore's house, where he found Mat, whom he sent to look up the other +three hands. The young skipper pulled off to the yacht. The water tanks +were examined, and found to contain a week's supply at least. The +steward was sent on shore, with directions to bring off the men, and a +stock of ice and fresh provisions, after he had put the two state-rooms +in order. + +By the time Augustus had procured his steak, chops, butter, milk, and +ice, the four hands had assembled at the landing-place, in readiness to +go on board. + +"Hurry up, now!" said the steward. "Captain Fairfield is waiting for +us." + +"There!" exclaimed Mat Mogmore, "I have forgotten one thing. The +captain told me to see Mr. Gayles, and tell him the yacht was going to +Portland; and I did not think of it till this minute." + +"We can't wait for you," replied the steward, impatiently. + +"You needn't wait. I will get some one to put me on board. Go ahead!" +And Mat ran up the rocks, and hastened towards Mr. Gayles's house. + +But he hurried only a moment, till the darkness concealed his form from +his shipmates. Instead of going up to the town, he returned to the +landing-place as soon as the boat had left. While he stood on the +rocks, the clock struck nine. A few moments later, a boat, containing +one man, pulled up to the Point. + +"Is it all right?" asked the person in the boat. + +"All right," answered Mat Mogmore, as he stepped into the boat. "We +have no time to lose; Mr. Watson will return soon." + +Mat took one of the oars, and they rowed over to the landing-place, in +the rear of Mr. Watson's house. Mat went up to the side door and rang +the bell. He was admitted to the entry, and told the servant he wished +to see Miss Watson. Bessie, who was now all ready, came down stairs +with her travelling bag in her hand. + +"Captain Fairfield sent me on shore for you," said Mat. + +"Where is my father?" asked Bessie. + +"He is on board. He was in a hurry to see the captain, and went on +board with the steward. The yacht is all ready to sail now, as soon as +you go on board." + +It was not exactly like Levi to send one of his hands after her; but +the yacht was going off in a hurry, and he must be very busy. It was +strange that her father did not come home before he went on board; but +perhaps he had learned something more about the race, and was in haste +to inform Levi of it. She was only afraid that the trip would be +abandoned. Her mother came to the entry, told her to "wrap up warm," be +careful not to take cold, and then kissed her with an affectionate +adieu. Mat Mogmore led the way down to the boat, and assisted her to a +seat in the stern-sheets. + +The night was clear; but it was quite dark, and the darkness on the +water is deeper, and more dense, to a person unaccustomed to the sea, +than on the land. Bessie was not afraid; but after the boat had gone a +few rods from the shore, she had no idea where she was, for the gloom +of night breeds confusion in the mind on the sea. + +Bessie did not recognize Mat's companion in the boat; but she supposed +he was one of the crew of the yacht. He did not speak, and she had no +reason to suspect that anything was wrong. Mat Mogmore was well known +to her, and had been long before the yacht was built. He was one of +Levi's hands, and his presence, if she had had any suspicions, would +have been enough to satisfy her. + +"How dark it is!" said Bessie to Mat, who pulled the after oar. + +"Not very dark, miss," replied Mat. "The stars are out, and we don't +call it very dark when we can see them." + +"But I cannot see anything, or tell where I am. I can see the lights in +the town, but I can't make out anything else." + +"Because you are not used to it. Can't you see the yacht right ahead of +us?" + +"I can see the outline of a vessel, but I couldn't tell whether it was +The Starry Flag or a fishing vessel." + +"It's the yacht." + +Bessie looked around her, and tried to distinguish the headlands, which +looked like masses of darkness resting beneath the star-lit sky. + +"Now you can see the yacht," said Mat, as the boat approached a vessel +which was not unlike the yacht. + +"Yes, I see her plain enough now," answered Bessie, taking it for +granted. + +"It's a very pleasant night to sail," added Mat, as the boat ran up +alongside the vessel. + +"Beautiful!" exclaimed Bessie, as she looked up to the stars. + +The boat was brought up to the gangway; the man at the bow oar stepped +out and assisted her on board. Mat Mogmore did not follow her, but +pushed off the boat, and pulled away into the darkness. It still wanted +more than half an hour of the time appointed for the sailing of the +yacht. Mat pulled a short distance from the vessel, and then lay upon +his oars. He waited there fifteen minutes, either to kill the time or +to arrange his plans, and then ran up alongside the yacht. + +He had put Bessie on board of the Caribbee! + +He was actually in the employ of Dock Vincent. + +Mat stepped on the deck of The Starry Flag, whose foresail and mainsail +had been hoisted, and her anchor hove short. The lamps in the cabin and +state-rooms were lighted, and the steward was as busy as a bee, and +delighted at the thought of once more having the beautiful young lady +on board; for it was a joy to serve her, her smile was so sweet, her +voice so pleasant, and her heart so full of kindness. + +"Where are you, Mat?" demanded Levi, as the treacherous seaman came on +board. + +"My mother has just had a fit, and they say she will not live till +morning," replied Mat, in the most disconsolate of tones. "I shouldn't +have come on board at all if Mr. Watson hadn't sent me with a message +to you." + +"What was the message?" asked Levi, tenderly, for he was full of pity +for Mat. + +"He told me to tell you that he and Miss Bessie would meet you in +Portland on your arrival. Her mother made such a fuss about her going +off in the night without her aunt, that her father decided to take the +cars, for he heard in Gloucester that an excursion train would come +along about twelve o'clock." + +"Very well," said Levi. "I will go on shore with you and see about it. +I hope your mother will get better." + +"I hope so. Mr. Watson started right off in the buggy with Bessie." + +"Has he gone?" + +"Yes, he went right off. He was in a hurry, for he has to drive to +Beverly to catch the train. You won't see him if you go on shore." + +"Then I think I will not go; but I will not keep you a moment," added +Levi. + +"If you want another hand in my place, I can get Tom Sampson." + +"We can get along very well without any more help," replied Levi, as +Mat pushed off. + +Levi was vexed that Mrs. Watson's timidity had deprived him of Bessie's +company; but it was like her, and on their trip to the eastward, he had +been obliged to be in port every night to please her. However, he would +receive his passengers on board at Portland the next morning; and, in a +few minutes more, the yacht tripped her anchor, and sailed out of the +bay. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE CARIBBEE. + + +Bessie Watson stood upon the deck of the Caribbee, and in the darkness +of the night she did not at first discover that the vessel was not The +Starry Flag. She wondered that Levi, with his accustomed devotion, did +not spring to receive her when she came on board; that the steward did +not present his smiling face; and that her ever-anxious father failed +to assure himself that she did not fall overboard in passing from the +boat to the vessel. She was an only daughter, and when she appeared it +was customary to "turn out the guard" and pay all the honors. + +To say that Bessie Watson was a pretty girl, is saying very little. She +was a good girl--and this is saying something more, and something +better. Nothing but a true heart and excellent common sense saved her +from being spoiled by the indulgence of her father and mother. Another +devotee was added to those who adored her; but she refused to be +spoiled even by Levi's flattery, if such it could be called; for the +young skipper was as sincere in his admiration of her as of the yacht +he commanded. Bessie did not pout or flout when neither Levi nor her +father appeared to receive her. + +The man who had been in the boat with Mat Mogmore was Captain Gauley, +the stranger. After handing Bessie on board, he led the way, in +silence, towards the cabin. There were no lights on deck, and she could +see no difference between the two vessels, even when she had descended +the steps into the cabin; for no light appeared there. The darkness had +been chosen to help the illusion, and Bessie had to feel her way. She +came to the table in the middle of the cabin, and knowing that there +were lockers forming seats below the berths, she groped her way to the +side of the apartment, and seated herself. + +"All hands are busy forward in getting under way," said her conductor, +from the steps. + +"Where is the steward?" asked Bessie. + +"He has been so hurried putting away his stores that he has not been in +the cabin." + +"Are you a new hand?" asked Bessie, who did not recognize the voice of +the man. + +"I am; I am only going this trip." + +"Send the steward, if you please, to light the lamps," added Bessie, +who was reasonable enough to understand that the yacht was going to sea +on short notice, and she did not demand any unnecessary attention under +the circumstances. + +"I will send him right down if I can find him." + +Captain Gauley went on deck; and Bessie heard a great rattling of +ropes, a swaying of booms, and hasty footsteps above her. She could not +see a thing; but she waited in the gloom for the steward to come and +light the lamps. The noise on deck indicated that all hands were busy, +as the man had said; and even yet she suspected nothing. + +Mat Mogmore did not go on shore to see his sick mother. He heard the +order of Captain Fairfield to man the windlass and stand by the head +sails; then he pulled for the Caribbee, to which his boat belonged. +Everything had worked to his entire satisfaction. Levi had been as +credulous as he desired him to be, and The Starry Flag was standing out +of the bay on her way to Portland. + +"How is it?" asked Captain Gauley, in a low tone, as Mat came on deck. + +"All right; the yacht is under way," replied Mat. + +"We must get off at once, then." + +"Don't be in a hurry; wait till the Flag has made a couple of miles, so +that Levi won't notice the movements of this vessel. Where is the +girl?" + +"In the cabin. It is pitch dark there, and she has not found out where +she is yet," answered Gauley, with a suppressed chuckle, as though the +plan was not only a success, but a capital joke. + +The foresail and the mainsail of the Caribbee were hoisted, and her +crew were busy in getting up the anchor. By the time the preparations +were completed, the yacht had disappeared in the darkness and the +distance. The jib was hoisted, and the vessel stood out of the bay in a +direction nearly opposite to that taken by the yacht. + +Bessie began to be impatient. The yacht was under way, and still the +steward did not come; still her father, who had nothing to do with +working the vessel, did not make his appearance. Had they forgotten +that she was on board? If they had, it would be the most remarkable +thing that ever occurred. She could not understand it. She knew, as the +vessel was now sailing, that Levi must be at the helm, just at the head +of the stairs, and she decided to go up and speak to him. She could see +the stars through the opening of the companion-way, and she had no +difficulty in finding her way out of the cabin. + +"Levi?" said she, as she stepped upon deck. + +"He is not here," replied Captain Gauley, who was at the helm. + +"Where is he?" asked Bessie; and, without knowing that anything was +wrong, things began to look a little strange to her, or rather to feel +so, for she could not see anything. + +"I really don't know where he is, just now," replied the helmsman. "But +he cannot be far off." + +"The steward has not lighted the cabin yet," added she. + +"The captain told the steward not to do so." + +"Did he--why?" + +"I think you cannot be accustomed to sailing near the land at night," +added Captain Gauley. + +"I really am not." + +"The light would blind the helmsman's eyes so that he could not see the +shore. As soon as we are clear of the Selvages we shall light up." + +Bessie was satisfied with this explanation. On board of a Sound steamer +she had observed that the windows in the forward part of the saloon +were covered with thick canvas at night, so that the glare of the light +near the boat should not deepen the gloom beyond it, and thus prevent +the pilot from seeing the land, or other vessels in the distance. But +she was not satisfied with her situation otherwise. The vessel did not +_feel_ like the yacht, and Levi and her father did not appear. + +While she stood watching the helmsman, and trying to comprehend the +inexplicable position of affairs, she saw a light in the cabin. She +looked down, and perceived a woman in the act of lighting a lamp. + +"Don't light that lamp!" shouted the man at the helm. "It blinds my +eyes so that I can't see to steer." + +The woman extinguished the match she was applying to the lamp, and +darkness reigned in the cabin again. Who was the woman? She asked the +helmsman. + +"Your father thought you ought to have a female waiter, and he has +obtained one," replied Captain Gauley; but she did not notice the +chuckle with which he spoke. + +Bessie knew that her father would not have provided a woman without +consulting her, and she determined to inquire into the situation. She +went down the cabin steps again, guided by faith, rather than sight, +and felt her way to the locker where she had before been seated. + +"Who is it?" asked the woman, from her place at the forward part of the +cabin. + +"It is I," replied Bessie. "Did my father employ you as stewardess of +the yacht?" + +"I guess not," replied the woman. "I'm not anybody's stewardess, I can +tell you!" + +"Who are you then?" asked Bessie, now really alarmed. + +"Well, I'm Mrs. Vincent, of course. This is my husband's vessel, and I +never expect to be a servant to anybody," answered the woman, rather +indignant at being thought a stewardess, even in the dark. "Now, who +are you?" + +"I am Miss Watson," replied Bessie, her heart sinking within her, so +that she could hardly utter the words. + +"Miss Watson! Bless me! What, Mr. Watson's daughter?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, that is strange, sure enough!" + +"Is Captain Dock Vincent your husband?" asked Bessie, almost choked +with terror. + +"Certainly he is." + +"And this vessel is not The Starry Flag?" + +"Why, no; it's the Caribbee. How on earth came you here?" + +"I supposed it was the yacht--my father's yacht," gasped the poor girl, +overwhelmed when she realized that she had fallen into a snare set by +her former enemy. + +"That's too bad; but I didn't know nothing at all about it. Waldock"--she +called her husband by his full given name--"Waldock is up to some awful +trick." + +It was a consolation to know that the woman was not a party to her +husband's wicked scheme. Bessie explained how she had been entrapped; +but Mrs. Vincent declared that she did not even know the vessel was to +sail that night. She had retired with her two children at nine o'clock, +and got up when she felt the motion of the vessel under way. + +"Where is she going?" asked Bessie, wiping away the tears that dimmed +her eyes. + +"We are all going to Australia." + +"Where is your husband?" demanded Bessie, with a shudder. + +"I'm sure I don't know. He went off to New York; but of course we are +not going to Australia without him." + +While they were talking, Mat Mogmore came into the cabin, and lighted a +lamp. + +"Mat, what does all this mean?" said Mrs. Vincent, sharply. + +"We have carried the thing out just as Captain Vincent told us to do," +replied Mat. + +"What did he tell you to do?" + +"He left us to get Miss Watson on board. We haven't had a chance to do +so before, though we have been watching three or four days for one." + +"Why did you wish to get me on board?" inquired Bessie, trembling in +every fibre of her frame. + +"O, you needn't be frightened, Miss Watson. You are not to be hurt, and +you are to be treated as well as if you were on board of the yacht. +Three years ago your father and Levi sent Captain Vincent to the state +prison. He didn't forget it, and he is going to carry out the plan he +began upon then." + +"Am I to be carried to Australia?" asked Bessie. + +"That depends on your father. If he pays the money Captain Vincent +asks, we shall send you back. Your father and Levi served the captain a +mean trick, and he always said he would get even with them; and I think +he will now." + +"But how came you in this vessel, Mat?" asked Bessie. + +"I went into the yacht for the sole purpose of doing the little job I +finished up to-night," answered Mat, with a sneaking smile. + +"O, what a wretch!" exclaimed Bessie. + +"A wretch? Well, perhaps I am; but it pays better than going before the +mast in the yacht. Captain Vincent has your father this time where he +can hold him," added Mat. "Levi has gone off to Portland to sail in the +race, and he can't do anything for you this time. If you have a mind to +write to your father, and tell him to come down with the rocks, I will +see that he gets the letter within a week or so. He must put down about +a hundred thousand dollars this time." + +"Poor girl!" ejaculated Mrs. Vincent. "I pity you; but my husband is an +awful man, and I can't do anything about it." + +"We haven't anything against her," said Mat. "She is to have a +state-room by herself, and live like a lady. That's the captain's +orders. The matter rests there, and it isn't any use to say anything +more about it." + +Mat went on deck, leaving Bessie to weep over her unhappy fate, with no +one but Mrs. Vincent to comfort her. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +DOCK VINCENT'S LETTER. + + +Mr. Watson drove to Gloucester; but at this hour in the evening he had +some difficulty in finding the telegraphic operator, and it was fully +ten o'clock before he returned to his house in Rockport, ready to go on +board of the yacht. + +"Why, I thought you had gone!" exclaimed Mrs. Watson, when her husband +presented himself. + +"No; I was detained in Gloucester. Where is Bessie." + +"Bessie has gone on board of the yacht. Mat Mogmore came for her, and +said you had gone off in the steward's boat." + +"There is some mistake about it," replied Mr. Watson; but he had no +idea of the stupendous mistake which had been made. + +He went out to the pier; but, having no boat, he hastened over to the +Point to obtain a skiff, though he could not see why a boat from The +Starry Flag was not waiting for him. All was still on the Point; but he +found a dory, in which he pulled off to the place where the yacht +usually lay when in port. He could not find her. It was evident that +she had sailed; and it was more certain than before that a great +mistake had been made. He returned to the Point. Mr. Gayles was there. +He had come down to assure himself that the Caribbee had not stolen a +march upon him. He could not see her in the gloom of the night. He +recognized Mr. Watson, as he landed from the dory. + +"Did you see the Caribbee?" asked the constable. + +"No; did you see the yacht?" demanded the anxious father. + +"I did not." + +Mr. Watson stated the circumstances; but the officer could neither +assist nor enlighten him. + +The Starry Flag was miles away to the north-north-east, and the +Caribbee was miles away to the south-south-east. + +Levi had gone, Bessie had gone, the Caribbee had gone. Mr. Watson +wanted to know why Levi had gone without him; but there was no one to +tell him. He did not suspect that Bessie had not gone with him. Mr. +Gayles wanted to know why the Caribbee had sailed without Dock Vincent; +but there was no one to tell him. Standing on the Point, both were +vexed and perplexed; but neither could help himself, and neither could +solve the mystery. Both went home. + +Mrs. Watson was alarmed when her husband told her that the yacht had +gone without him. It was a fact--as Mat Mogmore had stated--that an +excursion train left Boston at eleven o'clock for Portland. Many of the +people of Rockport had gone to the city to hear a great singer, and +were to return in this train. Levi knew of it, or he might have doubted +Mat's story. Mr. Watson was a man of action. He ordered his fastest +horse to be brought to the door; and he drove, at a furious pace, to +Ipswich, which was a little nearer than Beverly, and the train would +arrive there half an hour later. At five o'clock in the morning he was +in Portland. He chartered a large sail-boat, and stood down the harbor. + At seven o'clock he discovered The Starry Flag, off Cape Elizabeth. + +Mr. Watson was angry because Levi had left him behind; angry because +Levi had taken Bessie and not taken him. Though an unpleasant word had +never before passed between them, the father--whose ideas of propriety +were very clearly defined--determined that some emphatic words should +be used on the present occasion. He paid his boatman, when the yacht +had been hailed, and in due time was transferred to her. + +"Where is Bessie?" asked Levi, before her father had time to utter a +single sharp word. + +The emphatic words were never spoken. + +"Where _is_ she?" repeated Mr. Watson. "Isn't she on board of the +yacht?" + +"No, sir," replied Levi, now alarmed, as her father was. + +"Not here?" + +"Certainly not. Didn't she come by railroad with you?" + +"No; I haven't seen her since I started for Gloucester last night." + +Levi almost sank upon the deck, and Mr. Watson's strength was all taken +from him by the discovery that some mishap had befallen his daughter. +Levi explained when he had breath enough to do so. Mr. Watson also +explained, and each was in possession of all the information the other +had; but their wisdom was foolishness, since it fell far short of the +requirements of the moment. + +"The Caribbee sailed last night, Levi," said Mr. Watson, who, however, +did not regard the fact as of much importance, or as having any +especial connection with the absence of Bessie. + +"Sailed!" exclaimed Levi. "Then Bessie has sailed in her." + +"I can hardly believe it," added Mr. Watson. + +"It is another plan to extort money from you." + +Levi persisted in his belief. Putting this and that together, he could +almost demonstrate that Mat Mogmore was in the employ of Dock Vincent; +indeed, Dock had told him that Mat intended to sail for Australia with +him. Mr. Watson decided to return immediately to Rockport, and the +yacht lay to off the railroad wharf long enough to land him. He took +the morning train for Boston, and reached home at two o'clock. + +The Starry Flag did not sail in the race that day. As soon as her owner +had been landed, she was headed for Cape Ann again, and arrived before +night. Levi was bewildered and confounded by the shock of the blow +which had fallen upon him and the Watson family. He could do nothing, +and in his inactivity he chafed like a caged lion. Mr. Watson had gone +to Boston soon after his arrival, taking Mr. Gayles with him. He did +not return till the next day. He had chartered a swift steamer, and the +constable, with other officers, had gone in pursuit of the Caribbee. + +In the morning mail, on the second day after the disappearance of +Bessie, came a letter to her father. Levi was present when it was +opened, and it contained a full confirmation of his theory that Bessie +had been carried off in the Caribbee, and was now going half round the +world to Australia. The letter was written by Dock Vincent, and dated +ten days before its receipt. The villain assured the distracted parents +that Bessie should be kindly cared for by Mrs. Vincent, and should be +restored to her friends as soon as possible after her father had paid +over to Mr. Fairfield the sum of seventy thousand dollars. + +Mr. Watson dropped the letter on the floor, and breathed a deep sigh. +He would have given double the sum for the return of Bessie; but his +conscience would not permit him to reward villany like that of Dock +Vincent. + +"Levi, your uncle is concerned in this affair," said Mr. Watson, +turning to the young skipper with a sad look. + +"I suppose he is. I will go and see him at once." + +"I will go with you." + +They went. + +"Mr. Fairfield, where is Dock Vincent?" asked the suffering father, +when he and Levi had been admitted to the kitchen. + +"I don't know no more'n nothin' in the world," whined the miser. "I +hain't seen nothin' on him." + +"You don't know!" repeated Mr. Watson, sternly. + +"No more'n nothin' in the world," answered the old man, who realized +that the first instalment of trouble on account of Dock's little plan +was about to come upon him. + +"Yes, you do know where he is. Read that letter;" and the merchant +handed him the epistle he had received from Dock. + +Mr. Fairfield took the letter, put on his glasses, and studied out its +contents. + +"I don't know nothin' about it," pleaded the old man, as he looked over +his spectacles at the stern parent. + +"Don't tell me that! I'm not to be trifled with. I want my daughter, +and you are a party to this conspiracy. If you don't speak I'll wring +an answer out of you by force," said Mr. Watson, his patience +exhausted, and his indignation so aroused that he could not control it. + +[Illustration: MR. WATSON IS EXCITED.--Page 227.] + +"I tell you I don't know nothin' at all about it. I hain't seen your +darter, nor Cap'n Vincent nuther," whimpered the miser. + +"No evasion! Answer me at once," thundered the enraged merchant, goaded +to desperation by the anguish his injury called forth. "Your name is +mentioned in this letter. You are to receive the money, and share it +with the scoundrel who intends to filch it from me. Vincent did not go +in the vessel. Where is he?" + +"I don't know nothin' at all about it," answered Mr. Fairfield, +wriggling like a worm in his chair. + +"Yes, you do. You are to send the money to him. Where is he?" demanded +Mr. Watson, as he seized the old man by the throat, and dragged him out +of his chair. + +"Lem me be!" sputtered the miser, trying to free himself from the grasp +of the wrathful father. + +"Speak, old man! Where is he? Speak, or I will tear the answer from +you." + +"Be calm, Mr. Watson," interposed Levi, gently. + +"For massy's sake! You don't mean to kill him--do you?" exclaimed Mrs. +Fairfield, alarmed for the safety of her husband. "Don't hurt him! He's +a poor old man, and don't know no better." + +Mr. Watson, conscious that he had gone too far in his violent +indignation, released his grasp upon the miser, and he sank back into +his chair more frightened than hurt. + +"If I knew anything consarnin' this business, I'd tell you all about +it," added the old man, when he had regained his breath. + +"Uncle Nathan, this money is to be paid over to you, and you must know +something about it," said Levi, decidedly. + +"O, yes; you hate me, and you want to persecute me," replied the old +man, bitterly, as he glanced spitefully at his nephew. "There, now, you +broke my glasses," continued the miser, as he picked them up from the +hearth, on which they had fallen. "I gin a dollar for them glasses; I'm +a poor man, and 'tain't right I should lose 'em." + +"Will you tell me where Vincent is, or shall I send a constable to +arrest you for conspiracy?" demanded Mr. Watson. + +"I don't know nothin' at all where he is," replied the miser, alarmed +by this threat. + +"You were to receive this money." + +"That may be. Cap'n Vincent did tell me if you paid any money to me for +him to keep it till he come for't. He didn't tell me nothin' at all he +was go'n' to do, nor where he was goin' to. I hain't no idee in the +world where he is." + +This was all that either Mr. Watson or Levi could get out of the old +man. It was really all he knew; and the visitors, disappointed and +disheartened, retired from the miser's presence, though not till the +merchant had declared that he did not intend to pay one penny to Dock +to restore his daughter. The old man groaned when they had gone; but it +was because he was to lose his reward, and probably the money he had +loaned. It was a bitter hour to him. + +Mr. Watson and Levi conferred together as they walked home. From that +time no one passed in or out of the miser's house without being +observed. Levi watched that day; but at nine o'clock in the evening, +Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier took his place, to serve for the night. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE CARIBBEE SAILS FOR AUSTRALIA. + + +If Mrs. Dock Vincent had not been a person of higher moral purposes +than her husband, sad indeed would have been the lot of the two +children that slept in the captain's state-room on board of the +Caribbee. As is often the case, she knew less of her husband's moral +obliquity than the world at large, though even she knew enough to +believe that he was not what he should be. People did not tell her of +Dock's wicked deeds, and he complained bitterly to her of the hard +treatment which the world bestowed upon him. That good men frowned at +him and spurned him he unjustly attributed to their hypocrisy and +self-esteem, rather than to his own evil deeds and evil intentions. + +Dock had spent a term in the state prison, and his character was +damaged, if not ruined. Men would not trust him, and the reprobate +chafed under the public censure. To his wife and his friends he made +himself appear like a deeply injured person, like a martyr--in what +good cause he could not say. He was going to Australia to begin life +anew, to carve out his fortune in a strange land, where he was not +known. Mrs. Vincent was willing to leave her native land, and make a +new home in a distant country for this purpose, for the motive seemed +to be a laudable one. + +She had no knowledge, guilty or innocent, of the abduction of Bessie, +until after the Caribbee had sailed; but she felt herself powerless to +undo the mischief. If her husband had been on board, she would not have +dared to oppose him, he was so violent and savage when she interfered +with his plans. She could at least protect the poor girl from insult +and injury, and she determined to do this at all hazards. It was +evident to her that the Caribbee would not proceed immediately to her +destination without her owner and captain. It was probably the +intention of Captain Gauley to put into some port before she started on +her long voyage, when Dock would join her. + +Mrs. Vincent pitied Bessie Watson, and almost hated her husband when +she realized of what infamy he was capable. She comforted the poor girl +as well as she was able, and promised to be her friend under all +circumstances. She conducted her to an unoccupied state-room, which had +doubtless been reserved for her use, and spent half the night with her; +for Bessie trembled at the thought of being alone on board of the +vessel of her great enemy. + +Bessie was truly grateful to Mrs. Vincent, who, though rough and rude +in her manners, was kind at heart; and her presence was a great +comfort. The poor girl, torn thus suddenly from her friends, wept long +and bitterly at her sad fate; but at last she fell asleep, committing +herself to the care of the heavenly Father, and relying upon him for +the succor which he alone could give. No one disturbed her; and Mrs. +Vincent watched over her, as a child, till she was fast asleep. + +When she awoke, late in the morning, she heard the voices of children +in the cabin, and it was hard to realize that she was the victim of +Dock Vincent's villany. She was kindly greeted by Mrs. Vincent, and +the children stared at her as though she had come up from the depths of +the ocean. She soon made friends with the boy of eight and the girl of +ten, who were included in the family of her persecutor. After breakfast +she went on deck with them, and learned that the vessel was off Cape +Cod. Captain Gauley was very civil to her; but she did not allude to +the events of the previous evening. He was a bad man, and she could +hardly help shuddering in his presence. + +All day long she played with the children, and short as she made the +hours to them, they were very long to her. She was so gentle, and kind, +and unselfish, even in her woe, that the little ones loved her, and +would hardly leave her for a moment. She was certainly comforted by +their presence, and her endeavors to assure them lightened the moments +of the long day. The kindness of Mrs. Vincent did much to assure her; +she was satisfied that nothing worse than a long separation from her +parents was likely to happen to her. Feeling that it was useless to +repine at her condition, or to weep over what she could not avoid, she +resolved to make the best of it. There was no real hardship in her +situation, and the circumstances were certainly more agreeable than +when she had before been an involuntary passenger in Dock's vessel. The +absence of the villain himself was perhaps her greatest consolation; +but the presence of Mrs. Vincent and the children was a real comfort. + +In the evening Bessie and Dock's wife talked the matter over again in +her state-room. Mrs. Vincent roundly and unequivocally condemned the +conduct of her husband. She had discovered that the Caribbee was now +headed to the west, and it was plain to her that she was not yet on her +way to Australia. Dock had told her he was going to New York, and it +was possible that he intended to join them there. She told Bessie that +she might be able to leave the vessel when she reached her destined +port. The poor girl became more reconciled to her situation only +because it was no worse, rather than because it was not bad enough. She +slept well that night. + +The next day she played with the children, read to them, and dressed +the girl's doll in the latest fashion. In the evening, after Bessie had +retired, the Caribbee ran by Sandy Hook, and made a harbor near Amboy, +where she came to anchor. She was moored a mile from the shore, and no +other vessel was near her. Captain Gauley had carried out the plans of +Dock to the letter. He had been a steamboat pilot in these waters, and +was quite familiar with the navigation. Dock had made his acquaintance +while he was acting as mate of a boat, and the mate and the pilot were +congenial spirits. + +When Bessie went on deck with the children in the morning, Captain +Gauley told her, if she wished to write to her father, her letter +should be forwarded, as he was going on shore during the forenoon. She +was glad to assure her parents of her safety, and she wrote a long +letter, describing her capture and her situation on board of the +Caribbee. She stated the facts as they were. Dock's agent was writing +at the same time in the cabin; and when she was about to fold her +sheet, he wished to see it. He read it through, tore off the heading, +"Near New York," and the date, and then suggested that she had better +ask her father to pay the money required for her release. + +"My father must do as he thinks best about that," replied Bessie, +decidedly. + +"You don't understand your situation, I see," added the captain. "It is +impossible for you to escape from the vessel, and if your father does +not pay the money, you will go to Australia with us." + +"My father will do what is best," repeated Bessie. + +"Very well," added Captain Gauley, sourly. "If your father is not wiser +than you are, you may spend the rest of your days in Australia." + +Bessie made no reply, but folded and directed her letter. It was plain +now that Dock was to levy his contribution on Mr. Watson before he came +on board. This out-of-the-way place had been selected, where no one +would be likely to hear of her, for the vessel to remain until Dock +could obtain his money. Captain Gauley went off in a boat, with one +man, leaving the schooner in charge of Mat Mogmore. He did not return +till night; but Bessie, though she considered various plans to escape +from the vessel, was satisfied that nothing could be done, for Mat +watched her all the time. Her only hope was, that she might induce one +of the sailors to assist her by promising him a large sum of money; but +her vigilant guardian would not permit her to speak to any man on +board. If one of the seamen came aft, he was ordered forward; and +Bessie's hope faded away. + +The Caribbee remained for ten days in the vicinity of Sandy Hook, +changing her anchorage several times. Every day, either Mat Mogmore or +Captain Gauley went on shore, evidently expecting to see Dock, or to +hear from him. Bessie watched in vain for an opportunity to make a +friend of one of the sailors, or to hail a passing boat; but so +carefully was she guarded, that all hope in this direction was cut off. +She began to wish that her father would pay the money, for this seemed +to be her only chance of escape. Dock's non-appearance indicated that +his little plan was not working as well as he had expected, and Mrs. +Vincent and Bessie saw that Captain Gauley and Mat were becoming very +anxious. + +On the tenth day after the arrival of the Caribbee, Mat Mogmore, who +had been on shore, returned with a letter, directed, in a strange hand, +to Captain Gauley. He opened it in the cabin. It contained but a few +lines, which he read and then hastened upon deck, leaving the letter on +the table. The rattling of ropes and the flapping of sails were +immediately heard; and it was plain to Bessie that the vessel was +getting under way. + +"I wonder what is to be done now," said Mrs. Vincent, coming out of her +state-room. + +"I don't know. Captain Gauley read the letter which lies on the table, +and then hurried on deck," replied Bessie. + +"A letter!" exclaimed Mrs. Vincent, who was continually on the lookout +for news; for she was hardly less a prisoner than Bessie. + +She took it from the table, and without hesitation opened it. + +"It is from my husband," said she, glancing at the signature. "Things +are going wrong with me, and you will sail for Australia without me," +she read, "the moment you get this letter. Keep things as before, and +_do not let any one leave the vessel_. If you don't do this, my only +chance is lost. Be careful, for they are after you. I shall get the +money, and go to Australia by steamer from England, and shall probably +be there before you." + +"Then we are actually starting for Australia!" exclaimed Bessie, with a +deep sigh. + +"I suppose so." + +Bessie went into her state-room and wept bitterly, as all hope deserted +her. She cried, and she prayed, and then endeavored to reconcile +herself anew to her situation. The sails were hoisted, and the Caribbee +was standing out to sea. + +Captain Gauley was at the helm, and Mat Mogmore was at his side, +talking with him about the prospect. + +"If he wrote a letter at all, he ought to have told us all about it," +said Mat, disappointed at the meagreness of the news from Dock. + +"He says things are going against him." + +"And he says they are after us; but he don't say who, nor what," added +Mat. "I would like to know what has gone wrong, and who is after us." + +"Do you see that schooner on the weather bow?" said Captain Gauley, +pointing to a trim-looking craft. "She has an eye on us, and we must +give her a wide berth. She came about just now, and is running across +our fore-foot." + +"That's the yacht, as true as I live!" exclaimed Mat, when he +discovered her. + +"What yacht?" + +"The Starry Flag!" + +She had been standing off and on between Sandy Hook and Coney Island +for twenty-four hours, on the lookout for the Caribbee. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE TRAVELLER WHO LOST HIS WAY. + + +The steward of the yacht watched the house of Mr. Fairfield all night; +but no one entered or left it. Levi took his turn the next day again; +and, when he proposed to employ a fresh hand for the second night, +Augustus insisted upon serving, himself. He had slept enough during the +day, and he wanted the satisfaction of capturing Dock, if he presented +himself. + +This time he was in luck, as he declared, for about one o'clock at +night, when the town was as still as though it contained not a single +living inhabitant, the villain came to obtain his money, probably not +doubting that by this time it had been paid to his agent. + +The steward had stationed himself in such a position that no one could +approach the house unseen by him. Just after the clock on one of the +churches had struck one, he heard footsteps on the road, and presently +a man stopped in front of the miser's house. Contrary to the usual +custom of rogues and villains, he went up to the front door, and +knocked vigorously. The heart of the watcher leaped with expectation, +and he crept like a cat on the grass till he had obtained a position +behind a lilac bush, near the front door. The first summons of the +unseasonable visitor did not procure a response from within, and the +man knocked again. + +Though the vigilant sentinel did not recognize his cowardly enemy, he +had no doubt it was he. The form was about the height of Dock, but +appeared to be better dressed than when he had seen the ruffian. Who +else should go to the house of the miser at that unseemly hour? + +"Who's there?" called Mr. Fairfield, with his impatient whine, as he +threw open one of the windows of his chamber. + +"I've got lost, and I want some one to show me the way to Gloucester," +replied the visitor, in a tone so different from the voice of Dock that +Augustus did not recognize it, and began to fear that the villain was +not within his reach, as he had confidently believed. + +"Got lost--have you? Well, take the right hand road out by the +school-'us," added the miser, not so sourly as most people would have +spoken when roused from their sleep to direct a night traveller. + +"There are two or three roads there, and I can't afford to go much out +of my way. Come out and show me, and I'll pay you for your trouble." + +This was quite enough for the miser, and he promised to come. The +caller stepped out into the road, and Augustus crouched down under the +lilac bushes to escape observation. In a few moments Mr. Fairfield +appeared, muffled up in a ragged overcoat. + +"Well, Squire Fairfield, what's the news?" demanded the visitor, when +the old man joined him. + +If the steward had any doubts before, he had none now. It was Dock +Vincent beyond a peradventure, and his voice sounded as natural as on +former occasions. It was plain that the bewildered traveller was a myth +for the benefit of Mrs. Fairfield, who, being "women folks," and not +understanding business, was not permitted to share the heavy secrets of +her husband, especially on the present momentous occasion. + +"There ain't nothin' at all for news," replied the old man, as he +glanced at the house, as if to assure himself that his wife was not +watching him. + +"No news?" exclaimed Dock. "Hasn't Watson come done with the money +yet?" + +"No; nor that ain't the wust on't, nuther. I don't believe he will." + +"O, yes, he will!" replied Dock, confidently. "I've got things fixed +this time so that he can't help planking down the money. He'll be glad +to pay it, I can tell you." + +"What have you done with the gal, cap'n?" + +"We've got her; and Watson never'll see her again unless he pays the +money--that's so." + +"But he won't pay it; and I ain't go'n' to git my share on't at all," +whined the miser. + +"Yes, you will; don't be alarmed, Squire Fairfield." + +"They've sent a steamer off arter the vessel." + +"Have they, though?" + +"Yes, they have; and Gayles has gone in her." + +"All right; the steamer'll cost some money, and won't do any good. +She'll come back without the girl. My vessel isn't a great ways from +New York, and when I say the word she'll start, whether I go in her or +not. I tell you, Mr. Watson will be glad to pay the money before many +days. He don't understand the matter yet. I'll come again in two or +three days; and I reckon you'll have the money next time I come." + +"Where are you stoppin' now?" asked Mr. Fairfield. + +"Nowhere in these parts; but I'll be here in two or three days." + +"But Watson won't pay that money, no more'n nothin' in the world." + +"Yes, he will. He can't help doing it, if he wants his daughter again. +Where's Levi now?" + +"He's round here; but what am I go'n' to do for what you owe me, if +Watson don't pay the money?" asked the old man, anxiously. + +"I'll pay it all just as I agreed to do. Now go to bed again, Squire +Fairfield, or your wife will be out looking for you." + +"But I want to know sunthin more about this business." + +"You mustn't know any more than you do. I didn't mean you should know +anything about it. I never told you anything. When you get the money, +you hold on to it till I come. I don't know as it's quite safe for me +to come here again, even in the night. I guess we'll fix it some other +way." + +Dock did "fix it some other way"--it is of no consequence how. + +"After I get this money, and get all ready to start, I'm going to +settle up matters with Levi and that nigger before I go. I expect I +shall kill that nigger if I ever see him again." + +"Shall you? Then now's your time!" yelled Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier, as +he sprang from his covert, and rushed upon his enemy. + +Dock Vincent was startled, as a braver man than he might have been +under such circumstances; but the steward did not permit him to recover +his self-possession. With an oak stick he carried in his hand, he dealt +a heavy blow upon the head of the villain. But his cranium seemed to be +made of more solid material than his African assailant's, for he +attempted to rise, when the steward repeated the stroke so effectually +that he lay still on the ground. + +"Don't! Don't!" pleaded Mr. Fairfield, terrified by the tragic event. +"Don't tech him agin. Let him be." + +But Dock was not deprived of his consciousness even by the severe blows +he had received, and again he attempted to rise. + +"Lay still! If you don't there'll be a dead man not far from here," +said the steward, as he took his revolver from his pocket. + +Dock saw it, and dared not move. + +"Don't tech him no more. Let him go now." + +"Not if I know it! Allow me to insinuate, in the most direct manner +possible, that this man is my prisoner; and if he don't spend the rest +of his days in the state prison, it will be an outrage upon humanity," +added the steward. + +"Don't tech him no more. Let him go. I'll give you twenty-five cents if +you will," whined the miser, who had to open his heart very wide to +make this liberal offer. + +"He is going to jail, if there is such an institution in these parts," +replied Augustus. + +"I'll give you fifty cents if you'll let him go," pleaded Mr. +Fairfield. + +"If you would give me fifty thousand dollars, I wouldn't let him go," +replied the steward. "Do you think I would sell my own soul for money?" + +Augustus, with the revolver in his right hand, felt in all the pockets +of his prostrate enemy for dangerous weapons, but he found none. + +"Now get up," said he. + +Dock obeyed, in momentary fear that one of the pistol balls would be +spinning through his head. + +"Do you know where Mr. Watson's house is?" continued he. + +"I do," replied Dock. + +"Then march; and if you turn to the right or the left, or attempt any +irregular proceeding, I promise you, on the honor of Mr. C. Augustus +Ebénier, that I will give you the benefit of every bullet this pistol +contains, six in number, by actual count. Forward!" + +Dock marched in the direction indicated; he could not help doing so, +bitter as the necessity was. Mr. Fairfield followed, begging and +pleading with all his eloquence, and even offering as high as a dollar +for the release of his friend. + +"Old man, return to your humble abode, and give up your weary frame to +the arms of Morpheus," said Augustus, when his patience was exhausted. +"In other words, venerable sir, go home, and go to bed." + +The miser was terribly stricken by the sudden misfortune of Dock; not +from sympathy, but because it foreboded the loss of the money the +prisoner owed him. It is possible that he had some fear of being +compromised before the courts. If he had, it was overborne by the +greater dread of losing his money. He could not willingly return; and +it was only when the steward threatened him with the terrible pistol +that he did so. + +Augustus walked about six feet behind his victim till he came to Mr. +Watson's house, and then directed him to go up to the side door. + +"Ring the bell!" said the steward, in the stern tones of command. + +"See here, steward, can't we arrange this thing," replied Dock, turning +to his remorseless captor. + +"Ring the bell! We'll arrange it in the court." + +Dock rang the bell. Little did the father and mother of Bessie sleep +while she was away from them, and they heard the bell the first time it +was rung. + +"Who's there?" called Mr. Watson from a second-story window. + +"Augustus, sir," replied the steward, in the mildest of tones. "There's +a gentleman here to see you, sir." + +"I will be down in a moment;" and presently a light appeared in the +dining-room. + +"Walk in," said Mr. Watson, opening the door. + +"Walk in!" repeated Augustus, in stern tones. + +Dock followed the merchant into the dining-room, closely attended by +his guard. + +"Vincent!" exclaimed Mr. Watson, when he turned to see who his midnight +visitor was. + +"Yes, sir," replied the steward. "You will pardon me for bringing him +here, sir; but I did not know what else to do with him." + +"Vincent, where is my daughter?" demanded the merchant, earnestly. + +"She is on her way to Australia," replied Dock, who was now beginning +to recover his self-possession, and to measure the consequences of his +misfortune. + +"I beg to suggest, Mr. Watson, that his reply is a wretched falsehood," +interposed the steward. "I heard him tell Mr. Fairfield that his vessel +wasn't a great ways from New York." + +"In the latitude of New York, I meant merely. Mr. Watson, this man is +making a mess of it for you. I made my demand of you by letter. Give me +the money, and your daughter shall be restored. If you don't, you will +never see her again, whatever may happen to me," said Dock. + +"Not a dollar! Not a penny!" replied Mr. Watson, with emphasis. + +"Very well, Mr. Watson. You will discover your mistake soon enough," +added Dock. + +"We want an officer and a pair of handcuffs," said Mr. Watson. "Can you +keep him while I procure assistance?" + +"I can," answered Augustus, confidently, as he displayed his pistol. + +Mr. Watson called his two men, and sent one of them for Constable +Cooke, who was the only officer available at that hour of the night. He +came, and the villain was ironed. The constable and the steward kept +guard over him till morning. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +OFF SANDY HOOK. + + +Levi did not learn that the great enemy had been captured till he went +up in the morning to relieve the steward; but the news was spreading +rapidly, and it came to his ear before he reached his station. He +hastened to the house of Mr. Watson, where Constable Cooke and the +steward still kept vigil over the fallen foe. The officer evidently did +not relish his employment; but Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier had proved that +he was a first-class tiger, as well as an exquisite of the first water. + +Mr. Watson had another interview with the wretch as soon as Levi +arrived; but Dock Vincent was as obstinate as a mule. He took no pains +to conceal the fact that he enjoyed the distress of the suffering +father and the intense anxiety of Levi. The prisoner was to be examined +before Squire Saunders during the forenoon, and it was hoped that some +development of the plan of the conspirator would be obtained. + +By the morning train came Mr. Gayles. The steamer sent in pursuit of +the Caribbee had returned to Boston in the night. Of course she had not +seen or heard of the vessel, which had gone through Vineyard Sound, +while the steamer followed the track of ships bound round the Cape of +Good Hope. + +"Has he been searched?" asked Mr. Gayles, when he had reported the +result of his mission to his employer. + +"No; I proposed it to Mr. Cooke, but he declined to do it until a +warrant had been obtained," replied Mr. Watson. + +"It should be done at once;" and Mr. Gayles hastened to attend to this +important duty. + +Dock blustered, and attempted to resist the indignity, as he termed it; +but the constable was determined, and heeded not the prisoner's protest +or his struggles. On his person was found a variety of papers, and +among them the letter which Captain Gauley had written in the cabin of +the Caribbee. But this document had no signature, and was hardly more +satisfactory than the letter which Mr. Watson had received from Bessie; +at least it contained no accurate information. One sentence, however, +was sufficiently definite to make a beginning upon. "We are somewhere +inside of Sandy Hook, ready to go to sea at a moment's notice," Captain +Gauley wrote. "You know where to leave a letter in New York, when you +are ready to go on board; and one of us goes up to the city every day +now." + +"It's no use," said Dock, maliciously. "You can't find the Caribbee. +Mr. Watson, I may rot in jail; but you will never see your daughter +again if you go on with this matter. If you want to get her back, pay +me the money I ask, let me go, and you shall have her in a week." + +"I will not pay you a dollar," replied Mr. Watson, firmly. + +"All right," added Dock, with a sneer. "You will wish you had in the +course of a year or two. I know what I'm about this time." + +Mr. Watson, Mr. Gayles, and Levi went to another room to consider the +situation, leaving Constable Cooke in charge of the prisoner. + +"Cooke, do you want to make a hundred dollars easy?" said Dock, in a +whisper. + +"I don't know," replied the officer. "I can't compromise myself." + +"You run no risk," added Dock, as he wrote with a pencil, on half a +sheet of note paper, the letter which Captain Gauley received just +before the Caribbee sailed. "Put this in an envelope, direct it to +Captain John Gauley, care of E. G. Baines & Co., No. ---- Maiden Lane, +New York, and put it into the post office. That's all; and here is a +hundred dollars." + +Constable Cooke took the note and the money. Dock wrote the direction +for the letter on a piece of paper. He thrust the whole into his +pocket. He had his doubts, as well he might, about the propriety of +mailing the letter. + +Levi, from the information obtained, was satisfied that the Caribbee +was at anchor in one of the secluded inlets below New York, waiting for +Dock to join her. It was not likely that she would go to sea without +her owner, whose family were on board of her. + +"Dock says she will go to Australia, whether he joins her or not," said +Mr. Gayles. + +"She will not sail till those on board have heard from Dock. We must +take care that he does not send any letter or message," added Levi. + +"Perhaps it would be better to let him do so, if we could only stop the +letter at the post office." + +"But we don't know who has charge of the vessel. It is plain that he +has a captain on board of her; but he does not sign his name to the +letter we found upon Dock," interposed Mr. Watson. + +"Don't let him send any letters," persisted Levi. "Then the Caribbee +will stay where she is till we find her." + +"That is the better way," replied Mr. Watson. + +"Perhaps it is," said Mr. Gayles. "But it would do no harm to ask the +postmaster to stop any letter to Mat Mogmore, for instance." + +"Mat Mogmore did not take that vessel round to New York," added Levi. +"There is a bigger man than he on board of her, and we don't know his +name. We can't do anything in this way, unless we stop all the letters +directed to the vicinity of New York." + +"Doesn't this man's name appear in any of Dock's papers?" + +"No; I have looked in vain for it." + +"Mr. Watson," said Levi, suddenly springing to his feet, "I am sure I +can find Bessie." + +Both Mr. Watson and Mr. Gayles looked at him with interest. He had done +a similar work once before, and his confident expression was entitled +to respect. + +"I am as sure as I want to be that the Caribbee is anchored somewhere +in New York Bay. Dock's letter says so. He sent her there, intending to +join her as soon as he had collected his black mail. The facts and the +theory agree with each other." + +"Admit what you say," added Mr. Watson, "and there is no doubt of it. +What shall we do?" + +"I will go to New York in The Starry Flag. I can tell the Caribbee as +far as I can see her, by night or by day. I will stand off and on by +Sandy Hook, so that she cannot pass me. You and Mr. Gayles shall go to +New York to-night, charter a small steamer, and explore all the inlets +and bays below the city till you find her." + +"She may escape before you get there," suggested Mr. Gayles. + +"No; she will wait till she hears from Dock." + +"It may get into the newspapers." + +"We will see that it does not." + +Various objections to Levi's plan were considered; but it was adopted +without material alteration. Mr. Watson thought it would be better to +charter a steamer in New York for Levi's use; but he preferred the +yacht. She would be under his control, and at the critical moment would +not be out of coal, or her machinery out of order. + +Levi determined to sail as soon as the examination of Dock Vincent was +finished. He engaged three extra hands, and put provisions and water +enough on board to meet any emergency, in case the cruise should be +unexpectedly prolonged. He was confident that his plan could not fail; +and if Constable Cooke had not been unfit for a place of trust, +probably it would not have failed, either in whole or in part. + +Mr. Fairfield was arrested, and at ten o'clock both he and Dock were +arraigned for examination. The old man was dreadfully alarmed. With the +arrest of Dock his fondest hopes had gone out in darkness. Not only was +the rich reward he had been promised forever lost, but his neighbor's +note for ten thousand dollars was not worth the paper on which it was +written. Though the conspirator did not yet believe that his plan had +failed, the old man did. + +Dock was held on a complaint of kidnapping Bessie Watson, and an +attempt to extort money from her father. The evidence, including Dock's +letter and the absence of Bessie, was more than enough to hold him, and +he was committed for trial. The testimony was strong enough to hold Mr. +Fairfield, and he also was committed; but Mr. Watson, out of +consideration for the poor old man, procured bail for him. It was in +vain he protested that he had nothing to do with the affair, and knew +nothing about it. His midnight meeting with Dock Vincent condemned him. + +The deputy sheriff bore Dock to the jail; for Mr. Gayles suggested that +Constable Cooke's fingers were slippery, though he did not know that +they had already been soiled by a bribe. Levi hastened on board of the +yacht as soon as the case had been disposed of, where his crew had made +every preparation for the intended cruise--how long it was to be they +knew not then. The wind was blowing a smashing breeze when she sailed, +and in forty hours she was off Sandy Hook. Mr. Watson and Mr. Gayles +arrived a day earlier, but did not deem it prudent to commence the +search till the next day, fearful that the Caribbee might slip away +before the yacht arrived; but they were not idle. They visited all the +small ports in the vicinity; but Captain Gauley kept the vessel away +from any harbor. + +Constable Cooke could not settle his mind in regard to the letter in +his pocket, and he kept it there till the day after the examination. +Mr. Watson and Mr. Gayles had both neglected, and even snubbed him. +They did not ask his advice; they did not employ him to assist in the +search. They had gone off without him, and he saw no chance to make any +money with the information in his possession. If Mr. Watson wanted Mr. +Gayles to do his business for him, he might employ him. Mr. Cooke +enclosed the pencilled note, directed it, and then mailed it in +Gloucester. + +Mr. Watson commenced his search in the steamer he had engaged for the +purpose. He went a dozen miles up North River, examining every vessel +in the stream, passed down the bay, through The Kills, up Newark Bay, +through Staten Island Sound to Amboy, scoured Raritan Bay and River, +without success, and thus used up the first day of the search. The next +day--that on which Mat Mogmore went to the city and brought off the +letter--she followed East River to Throg's Point; ran into Harlem +River, Flushing Bay, and all the inlets, examining the Long Island +shore as far as Rockaway, but with no better results than on the +preceding day. Off Coney Island she spoke The Starry Flag. The captain +of the steamer was confident that the Caribbee was not in the vicinity; +it was more probable that she had come through the Sound, and put into +Cow Bay, or some other waters beyond Throg's Point; and the steamer +returned to the city, to renew the search on the third day. + +Captain Gauley changed his anchorage every day or two. On the first day +he had been behind Coney Island, but had moved over to a point south of +Staten Island that evening, and thus, by accident, escaped discovery. + +Mat brought the letter to him, and the Caribbee went to sea instantly; +but it was only to encounter The Starry Flag, lying in wait for her. +The quick eye of Levi immediately recognized her, and his orders to +come about were given in sharp, quick tones. He was excited; Bessie was +almost within hail of him; indeed, he saw her standing on deck, with +Mrs. Vincent and the children. The wind was fresh, and the Caribbee had +spread every inch of her canvas. Levi arranged his plan to cut her off +while she was still nearly half a mile distant from him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +HALF ROUND THE WORLD. + + +The wind was fresh, and The Starry Flag was under easy sail when the +Caribbee was discovered. Though Levi immediately ordered the foresail +to be hoisted, he saw, with intense chagrin, that the advantage was +against him. He had hauled down the fly, and he hoped, as Dock Vincent +was not on board of the Caribbee, that her people would not recognize +the yacht. The wind was east, and the vessel was beating out, while The +Starry Flag had the wind on the beam. + +Levi, trusting that his craft would not be identified, intended to +crowd the Caribbee so as to oblige her to tack, and then, while she was +in stays, to lay alongside, and board her. Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier +stood, with his revolver in his hand, ready to follow his "excellent +captain," who was similarly armed, to the deck of the chase. Three +other men were also detailed to join the party, though Levi did not +expect much, if any, resistance. + +The young skipper kept out of sight himself, that he might not be +recognized before the decisive moment came. His heart bounded with +excitement. He saw Bessie standing on the deck with Dock's wife, and a +few moments more would restore her to him, and he should have the proud +satisfaction of sailing up New York Bay, and giving her back to her +father. The steward was ready to do greater wonders than ever before. +Thus far he had done all the hard fighting, and he was prepared to do +it unto the end. + +The decisive moment did not come then. The quick eye of Mat Mogmore had +recognized the yacht, and the Caribbee suddenly tacked, and stood away +to the south-east. But Levi did not give up the chase. He had the +weather-gage, and his foresail was now drawing well. In spite of Dock's +brags about the speed of his vessel, the young skipper believed the +yacht would outsail her; but this was only a blind confidence. + +The Caribbee was headed directly towards a shoal place called the "Oil +Spot," and as it was dead low tide, Levi thought she could not pass +over it. Farther to the southward was a ledge, with only nine feet of +water on it. But Captain Gauley knew all about the dangers of the +navigation on this part of the coast. He went just to the southward of +the Oil Spot; and, instead of gaining anything, Levi was obliged to +keep away, and lose the weather-gage, in order to avoid the shoal +himself. + +He was disappointed and felt cheap after his failure. The Caribbee, +close-hauled, was standing off to the south-east, while The Starry Flag +was a quarter of a mile astern of her. Neither had the advantage, and +it was still an open question which could make the best time. Levi soon +found that the Caribbee was running away from him; but she carried a +main gaff-topsail and a staysail. Fortunately he had similar sails on +board, though he seldom used them. They were set when the two vessels +were about a mile apart. + +The wind held fresh and steady, and Levi was happy when he realized +that the Caribbee was no longer gaining upon him. Hour after hour he +followed her, without any perceptible change in the distance between +them. It was plain now that the two vessels were about equally matched, +and day and night Levi held his course. On the third day out he spoke a +ship bound to New York. He knew what agony Mr. Watson was suffering, +and he wrote two letters to him, one directed to New York, and the +other to Rockport; "I shall follow the Caribbee round the world if +necessary, and I will not return without Bessie," he wrote. These +letters he sent on board of the ship, and in due time both were +received by Mr. Watson. + +For weeks and weeks The Starry Flag followed the Caribbee; but the +voyage would be as tedious to the reader as it was to Bessie Watson. +From the summer time, the yacht went into the heat of the torrid zone, +and from that to the spring time of the south temperate. A week out +from New York she encountered a heavy gale, and lost sight of the +chase; but Levi, true to his promise, did not give up the pursuit, +though he did not see the Caribbee again for weeks. As the yacht was +getting short of water and provisions, he put in at the Island of St. +Helena for fresh supplies, and learned that the Caribbee had left the +port only the day before. + +Again he made a harbor at Cape Town; but the chase had not been there. +With fresh provisions, he sailed again, not expecting to see the +Caribbee till he found her at Melbourne, the port for which she had +cleared; but as he went out of the harbor, he discovered her coming in. +The Caribbee went about, and stood on her course again to the eastward. +Levi was in high spirits now. He had outsailed his rival from St. +Helena. He had profited by an attentive study of the current chart, and +gained a day. Proud of this triumph over the skilful seaman who was in +charge of the chase, he persevered in the pursuit. + +Bessie saw The Starry Flag from the deck of the Caribbee, and +understood why Captain Gauley put about. She was amazed at the +persistent devotion of Levi in following her so far, and hope +brightened and inspired her. Captain Gauley and Mat laughed at what +they called the folly of Levi, and assured Bessie he would never find +her. + +Week after week both vessels held on their course, through sunshine and +tempest. Off the southern coast of Australia a fearful storm burst upon +them, and for the third time since leaving the Cape of Good Hope, they +parted company; but both of them weathered the tempest. One hundred and +seven days from New York, in the spring time of the southern +hemisphere, The Starry Flag was approaching Bass Straits. The +navigation was difficult and dangerous. Levi had read up his nautical +library, and carefully studied the charts he had obtained at Cape Town. +The wind was blowing a fresh gale from the southward and westward, and +the young commander was full of doubt and anxiety. The night was coming +on, with the promise of thick and heavy weather. Another day would +enable him to reach Melbourne; but it was hazardous to attempt to +thread his way among the rocks and coral reefs in the night and the +storm. Prudently, therefore, he put about, and stood away to the +southward, close-hauled, with the heavy seas washing his decks, for his +bulwarks had been stove in the tempest a week before. + +"Sail, ho!" shouted the man on the lookout forward. + +"Where away?" asked Levi. + +"On the weather bow." + +"It's the Caribbee!" exclaimed Levi to Bob Thomas, who had been made +first mate of the yacht. + +"Ay, ay! It is," replied the mate. + +"She went to the southward of Hammetts, while we went to the northward, +after the great storm. The southerly current has carried her off her +course, I should judge," added Levi. + +The captain and the mate watched her with the most intense interest. +The Caribbee stood on her course, and it was evident that she intended +to enter the Straits, regardless of the perils before her. Levi could +not do less than follow, reckless as it seemed to him. He did follow; +but he took extraordinary precautions. He bent on his heavy anchor, and +made other preparations for trying events. But the Caribbee, instead of +entering the Straits in the darkness, stood away to the northward. All +night long the gale piped its angry notes, and The Starry Flag again +lost sight of the chase in the gloom. + +The weather moderated in the morning, though the gale only partially +subsided. Again the Caribbee was discovered, hull down, in the south. +She was then entering the Straits, to the southward of King's Island, +where no prudent navigator would venture in bad weather. The yacht was +headed in that direction, and anxiously did Levi watch the chase. He +had no intention of following her through the intricacies of that +rock-bounded channel. Two hours later, the cry ran through the yacht +that the Caribbee had struck on a hidden reef! + +The heart of the young skipper was in his mouth. Bessie was in great +peril, and he was almost distracted as he thought of her, perishing in +the angry waves, surrounded only by enemies. The yacht dashed madly on +towards the scene of the disaster. Trembling with anxiety, Levi went +below to consult his chart, which lay all the time on the cabin table. +He found the locality, and the ledge on which the Caribbee had struck. +There was no other peril very near it, and he stood on confidently till +The Starry Flag was within hail of the wreck, or would have been in +less tempestuous weather. + +The foremast of the Caribbee had gone by the board, and the waves were +making a clean sweep over her decks. The life-boat, which swung at the +port davits of the yacht, had been cleared away, in readiness to be +lowered. Finding he had good holding-ground under him, Levi ordered the +men to let go the heavy anchor. Fortunately it brought her up; but the +other anchor was also thrown over. The sails were lowered, and the +yacht rode tolerably easy. The gale was abating, and Levi was satisfied +that the two anchors would hold her. + +The life-boat was manned with four men, and Levi took his place in the +stern-sheets. It was no easy matter to board the wreck while the sea +was making a clean breach over her. She had struck her bow upon the +sharp rock, and stove in her bottom. She had filled, and her stern had +settled down, and the water was over her taffrail, while her stem +projected up into the air. Her hull had swung round a little, so that +there was a choice of sides in approaching her. The foremast had been +jammed up by the breaking of the keelson where it was set, and hung +over the side. To this the life-boat was made fast, and Levi, followed +by Bob Thomas, climbed on board. + +Crouching under the lee of the camboose, the young skipper found +Bessie, Mrs. Vincent, and the two children, while the crew were +clinging to the rigging of the bowsprit to prevent being washed +overboard. + +"O, Levi!" cried Bessie, when she saw the manly form of her true +friend. + +In the blast and the spray, Levi clasped her hands, and both of them +wept. It was more than three months since they had parted in the house +of Mr. Watson. There was no time to think of the past, or even of the +future; the present absorbed all the energies of the young seaman. With +the assistance of Bob Thomas, Levi conveyed Bessie along the fallen +spar, and lowered her into the life-boat. Mrs. Vincent and her two +children were assisted into the boat in the same manner. Mat Mogmore +and two men--all that were left of the crew--were then permitted to +enter the boat, which pulled back to the yacht. + +With much difficulty, and the exercise of no little skill, the +life-boat was kept right side up, and the rescued party were safely +placed on board of The Starry Flag, though the females had to be +hoisted up in slings over the stern. + +"You are safe, Bessie," said Levi, as he conducted her to the cabin. + +"Thanks to our Good Father, and to you, Levi, I am!" + +"I have the inexpressible happiness of greeting you again," said Mr. C. +Augustus Ebénier, as he threw open the door of her state-room. + +The gale rapidly subsided, and in the afternoon, after the wreck had +been boarded again, the yacht sailed for Melbourne. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +A HAPPY REUNION. + + +The sea in the Strait was comparatively smooth, and the yacht sped on +her way to Melbourne. Mrs. Vincent and her children had been installed +in Mr. Watson's state-room, while Bessie occupied her own. From her +Levi had obtained all the particulars of her voyage. She told him what +she had suffered, what she had feared, and what she had hoped. + +"Who had charge of the Caribbee?" asked Levi, when, after Bessie and +Mrs. Vincent had been made comfortable, they gathered in the cabin. + +"Captain Gauley," replied Bessie. + +"Who was he?" + +"He was a pilot on a steamer," replied Mrs. Vincent. "He and my husband +became acquainted while they were on a boat near New York. I never saw +him till just before we sailed from the Cape. He is a bad man." + +"That is plain enough," added Levi; "but where is he now?" + +"He and three other men were washed overboard when the vessel struck on +the rocks." + +"And three of the men were saved?" + +"Yes; Mat Mogmore, the steward, and another man." + +"Why did you sail without your husband, Mrs. Vincent?" asked Levi. + +"I don't know anything about this business. I hadn't anything to do +with it," replied the poor woman; and Levi and Bessie pitied her +because she was the wife of such a bad man. + +"I am sure she had nothing to do with carrying me off, Levi," +interposed Bessie. "She has been very kind to me from the moment I went +on board of the Caribbee, and would have assisted me to escape, if +there had been any chance." + +"I am very glad indeed to know that," added Levi. "I don't see why this +Captain Gauley sailed without your husband." + +"Captain Vincent sent a letter to him, saying that things were going +wrong with him, and ordered him to sail at once." + +Levi wondered how Dock had sent the letter. When told that it was +written in pencil, and that the address on the envelope was not in her +husband's hand, he was satisfied that Constable Cooke had rendered him +this important service. + +"My husband was to come to Australia by the steamer from England," +added Mrs. Vincent. "Perhaps he is here now." + +"I think not," replied Levi. + +"Why so?" + +"Because he was arrested, and committed to jail before I left the Cape. +Augustus caught him." + +"I had that honor," said the steward, who was standing near the party; +and the incident was fully described. + +"I suppose my poor father and mother do not know what has become of +me," continued Bessie, the tears starting to her eyes. + +"Yes, they do. I sent two letters by a ship we spoke. If this vessel +reached New York, I am sure he knows where you are. I wrote him that I +should follow you round the world, if need be." + +"How brave and noble you are, Levi!" she said, bestowing a glance of +admiration upon him. "And this Starry Flag has rendered me a greater +service than the other Starry Flag." + +"She has indeed! She is the finest little craft that ever floated; and +I shall love her as long as I live. In that great gale a week ago, she +was under water half the time, I believe. We had to batten down +everything, and lash ourselves to the deck." + +"That was a fearful storm. I hope I shall never see another such. How +grateful we ought to be for our preservation!" + +"I trust we are grateful to God for his goodness and his mercy," +replied Levi, devoutly. + +On the following day the yacht took a pilot, and came to anchor in the +harbor of Melbourne. Mat Mogmore had kept out of sight since he came on +board, spending all his time in the forecastle; but when the anchor was +dropped he appeared on deck. + +"I think I will go on shore now, Levi," said he, with an assumed +coolness. + +"I think not," replied Levi, decidedly. + +"What do you mean by that?" demanded the young villain. + +"I mean that you shall not leave this vessel, unless you leave it in +irons. I shall state the case to the American consul; and I think you +will return to the United States as a prisoner." + +"Why, what have I done?" asked Mat. + +"What have you done!" exclaimed Levi, indignantly. "Besides being +guilty of meanness and treachery, you have committed a crime which will +send you to the state prison for the next ten years." + +"Do you mean to say that I stole your uncle's money?" + +"I didn't say anything of the kind. You and Dock Vincent conveyed Miss +Watson on board of the Caribbee. That's a state-prison offence, to say +nothing of stealing the money." + +"Don't be hard on me, Levi." + +"Hard on you! I'm not half so hard on you as you are on yourself. You +were employed as a hand on board of this vessel, and you used your +position to deceive Miss Watson, and get her on board of the Caribbee. +You then came to me, with your mouth full of lies, and told me she had +gone to Portland with her father, by railroad. I trusted you, and you +betrayed me. I can forgive you, but I can never respect you again," +said Levi, warmly. + +"Don't be too hard on me, Levi," pleaded Mat. "I got into a scrape, and +Dock helped me out; but he made me do everything he said after that." + +"You needn't commit yourself to me. I don't ask you to make any +confessions. Dock Vincent is in jail now, and the whole truth will come +out in due time." + +"What's the use!" exclaimed Mat, in despair. "I'm ruined now. If you'll +let me go ashore here, I'll try to be an honest man." + +"It is not for me to let you go, though I have no doubt you were the +tool of Dock Vincent. I have no right to let you escape." + +"I'll tell you all about it, Levi; and you will see what a bad scrape I +was in," said Mat, fixing his eyes on the planks of the deck. "Your +uncle borrowed a screw-driver in the shop----" + +"Levi! Levi!" shouted Bessie Watson, who was in the standing-room, +looking at the shipping in the vicinity. + +The young skipper sprang towards her, fearful that some terrible event +was about to happen; for Bessie was waving her handkerchief, and +dancing about the deck like an insane person. A boat, with two +gentlemen in the stern-sheets, was approaching the yacht, and at this +Bessie was gazing with intense earnestness. + +"What is the matter, Bessie?" asked he, looking at her, rather than the +boat, to assure himself that her trials had not affected her reason. + +"Why, don't you see, Levi?" + +"I don't see anything. What is it?" + +"My father! My father!" cried she, laughing, almost in hysterics. + +Levi glanced at the boat. One of the gentlemen was certainly Mr. +Watson, though he was not quite willing to believe the evidence of his +own senses. The boat had approached near enough to enable him to be +sure of the fact. + +"It is my father!" repeated Bessie, as the boat ran up to the +accommodation ladder, and Mr. Watson leaped on board of the yacht. + +"My child! My child!" ejaculated the fond father, as he folded her in +his arms. + +"O, father!" exclaimed she, as she hugged him in a transport of joy. + +Twined in each other's arms, they wept and laughed, in the exuberance +of delight, at this happy reunion. Levi could hardly restrain his own +tears as he gazed upon the affecting scene, and in the depths of his +heart he thanked God, who had guided his little bark over the stormy +ocean, half round the world, and enabled him to save Bessie from the +hands of her grasping enemies. + +"Levi!" said Mr. Watson, gently disengaging himself from his daughter's +embrace, and giving the young captain his hand. + +"I am glad to see you, Mr. Watson," replied Levi, grasping the offered +hand. + +"If Levi hadn't followed me, you would never have seen me again," added +Bessie, throwing herself upon her father's breast again. + +"God bless you, Levi!" exclaimed the delighted father, wringing the +young man's hand again. + +Mr. Watson seemed to be bewildered by the ecstasy of his joy. He +grasped the hand of Augustus, who was so pleased that he forgot to use +any high-flown speech. The gentleman who had come in the boat with +Bessie's father was introduced to the party as the American consul. + +"We did not expect to see you, Mr. Watson," said Levi. + +"I have been in Melbourne for three weeks," replied he. "This is the +port for which the Caribbee cleared at the Custom House. But where is +the Caribbee?" + +"She struck on a rock to the southward of King's Island, in the gale, +yesterday morning. She has broken up before this time." + +"And I was on board of her at the time," said Bessie. + +"Though the Caribbee was twenty tons larger than The Starry Flag, we +were just a match for her in sailing," added Levi. "We lost her a week +out of New York, saw her again at the Cape of Good Hope, and then lost +sight of her three or four times; but we arrived at the entrance of +Bass Strait about the same time." + +"I think I will not stop to hear the story now. Bessie, there is some +one on shore who wishes to see you," replied Mr. Watson. + +"Who? O, I know, father! It is mother! Come, let us go on shore, this +minute!" exclaimed the bewildered girl, dancing about again, as this +new joy dawned upon her. + +Levi informed the consul that one of the conspirators had been saved +from the wreck, and this gentleman promised to attend to the matter. +The life boat was lowered; and leaving his mate in charge of the +vessel, with strict injunctions not to let Mat Mogmore escape, Levi +went on shore with Bessie and her father. + +"My mother in Australia!" exclaimed Bessie. + +"And Mrs. McGilvery, too!" added Mr. Watson. + +"Why, then the whole family are here! Only think of it! I didn't expect +to see you or mother for months yet." + +"We could not do anything but come, for every hour seemed like an age +to us," replied Mr. Watson. "When I received Levi's letter, I saw that +nothing more could be done on our side of the world, and I decided to +follow you. Dock Vincent assured me I should never see my daughter +again; and I was satisfied by the confidence he exhibited, and the +persistency with which he urged me to pay his demand, that the Caribbee +had indeed sailed upon her long voyage. Levi's letter, written when he +had been three days at sea, with the Caribbee in sight, fully confirmed +my view. I was sorry Levi did not return to New York, instead of +following the vessel." + +"Why so?" asked Levi, blushing under the implied censure. + +"If I had known the result in season, I might have sent a steamer in +pursuit of the Caribbee. As it was, I did not get the letter till a +week after her departure." + +"The chances of a steamer finding the Caribbee were not more than one +in fifty," replied Levi. + +"I was sorry then, Levi; but I am not now. You have achieved almost a +miracle, and I am willing to believe now that your course was the best +and the safest. I decided at once to be in Melbourne when the Caribbee +arrived. I sailed for England in the steamer with your mother and your +aunt. We came from there by the way of Egypt, and landed here three +weeks ago. I have an agent in every principal port in Australia on the +lookout for the Caribbee. When any fore-and-aft vessel came into this +harbor I was informed of the fact, and you may judge my surprise when I +saw The Starry Flag. I will not tell you what I feared when I +recognized her, for all that passed away when I saw Bessie on the +deck;" and the devoted father clasped her in his arms again. + +The party landed. In a few moments they reached the hotel, and Bessie +was folded in the embrace of her mother. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +CONCLUSION. + + +Mrs. Watson wept tears of joy over her lost child, now restored to her. +Mrs. McGilvery declared that the pleasure of witnessing such a joyful +meeting was worth a voyage half round the world, or, indeed, all the +way round the world. + +"Well, Levi, what shall we do next?" asked Mr. Watson, when the young +skipper had been thanked and extolled by the ladies till his cheeks +burned with blushes. + +"Go home, I suppose, sir, unless the ladies desire to settle here," +replied Levi. + +"Doubtless we shall go home," added Mr. Watson; "but how shall we do +it? I think the ladies will not care to be kept on board of the yacht +for three months or more." + +"I will do what I can to make them comfortable if they will return in +The Starry Flag; but that is saying only a little." + +"You would arrive on the coast of the United States in the middle of +the winter, and you will see many heavy storms, and much bad weather," +suggested Mr. Watson. + +"Yes, sir; it was bad enough coming out here, especially after we left +the Cape of Good Hope; but it would be worse returning. I cannot +honestly advise them to go back in the yacht, glad as I should be of +their company;" and Levi glanced at Bessie. "I think they had better go +by the way you came." + +"I am very clear of that," added Mr. Watson. "But, Levi, I can't bear +the idea of your knocking about for three or four months, perhaps six, +in such a small vessel." + +"It won't hurt me any. I rather like it," laughed Levi. "I will have a +stove put up in the cabin for use when we get into the cold region, and +we shall be as comfortable as a bug in a rug." + +"I'll tell you my plan, Levi. I can sell the yacht, and you can return +with us by steamer." + +"Sell The Starry Flag!" exclaimed Levi. "I should as soon think of +selling my mother, if I had one. I love her, after the good service she +has done, and I don't think any builder could get up another as good as +she is. I know what she is now. She has weathered a hurricane, and +don't mind an ordinary gale any more than a summer zephyr. Besides, I +have a crew of six men, without the cook and steward. If you want to +sell her, I'll buy her." + +"She is yours now, and you may do as you please with her." + +"Then I shall certainly take her home. She needs some repairs, and then +she will be as good as new." + +"If the ladies are willing, we will all go on board of her," said Mr. +Watson. "We must make some arrangements for Mrs. Vincent and her +children, and attend to Mat Mogmore's case." + +The party went on board of the yacht. Mr. Watson summoned the crew, as +soon as they reached the deck, and gave each of them a check for a +thousand dollars. This little incident made the day a happy one to +them, as well as to the members of Mr. Watson's family. He then asked +Mrs. Vincent what she purposed to do; and Levi offered her a return +passage in the yacht. She had been kind to Bessie, had been her +companion and friend in her distress, and her conduct merited a +grateful recognition. The poor woman did not know what to do. She had +no idea what her husband had done with all the money he had collected. +It was not to be found, and no one knew anything about it. It was +afterwards ascertained that the proceeds of the sale of his house and +furniture had been expended upon the fitting out of the Caribbee, and +he had deposited the ten thousand borrowed of Mr. Fairfield in Boston +until he was ready to leave the country. + +Mrs. Vincent did not wish to return to her native land. Her husband had +ruined himself and disgraced his family, and she did not care to meet +the obloquy which awaited her in the midst of her friends. The consul +informed her, when she had stated her views, that she could make a good +living, and perhaps a competency, by keeping a boarding-house in +Melbourne. Mr. Watson promptly offered to assist her to the means for +making a beginning. Before the yacht sailed on her home voyage, the +consul had purchased for her such an establishment as she needed, and +she was in a fair way to do better for herself than her husband had +ever done for her. + +The consul met the family in the cabin of the yacht, and Mat Mogmore's +case came up for discussion. The steward, and the other seamen from the +Caribbee, had gone on shore to shift for themselves, as Mat would have +done if he had been permitted. + +"Mat says he got into a scrape, and Dock helped him out," said Levi, +when the matter was brought up. "The old rascal had him in his power +then, and made a tool of him in this business." + +"What scrape did he get into?" asked Mr. Watson. + +"I don't know. He began to tell me when your boat came alongside," +replied Levi. "He said my uncle borrowed a screw-driver of him; but I +don't know what this had to do with it." + +"Send for him, Levi," added Mr. Watson. "If he tells the truth, and +means to do well, perhaps we may do something to help him." + +The steward was called, and directed to bring the prisoner--for such he +was--into the cabin. Mat was on the stool of repentance. All his +expectations had been blasted; and, whichever way he turned, the +prospect was dark and forbidding, as it must sooner or later be to all +evil-doers. Even if permitted to go on shore, he was alone and +friendless in a strange land. The share he was to receive of Bessie's +ransom had failed him; another evil speculation had also come to +nought. If he returned to his native land in the yacht, it was only to +be covered with merited disgrace, and to spend years of his life in the +state prison. + +When Mat Mogmore entered the cabin under the escort of the steward, he +felt like a ruined man--one who, by his own folly and wickedness, had +sacrificed all his hopes in this world. Mr. Watson and the consul spoke +to him with the utmost plainness, the latter informing him that, if he +declined to return home in the yacht, he should procure his arrest on a +criminal charge. + +"I will return in her, if you say so," blubbered Mat, whose pluck was +all gone. + +"If you wish to explain your conduct, you may do so," added Mr. Watson. + +"I don't know as it's any use. I wish I had been drowned in the +Caribbee." + +"You began to tell me your story," said Levi. + +"I was going to tell you how I happened to help Captain Vincent. He +made me do it. I'll tell you about it, if you like." + +"Go on," added Mr. Watson. + +"Perhaps I'm worse than you think I am; but I'll tell the whole truth." + +"That's what we want." + +"Levi's uncle borrowed a screw-driver of me in the shop. I wanted to +use it pretty soon, and I went over to Mr. Fairfield's after it. He was +fixing a board to put over a hole in the plastering in his chamber. I +saw he had cut away the laths, and I knew he wasn't putting up the +piece to keep the cold out, as he said. I made up my mind he had money +hid in that hole. At the fire, when the folks had left the room, and +all the men were on the roof, I took off that board, for I thought the +money would be all lost if there was any there. I found the four bags +of gold. I dropped them out the window into the lilac bushes, and put +the board up again. I didn't mean to steal it then. I never stole +anything in my life, not even a pin." + +"What did you put the board up again for?" asked Levi. + +"I didn't screw it up till afterwards. I carried the gold over to the +shop, and hid it under the floor. Then I went back and fastened up the +board, just as I found it. While I was doing this Dock Vincent came in, +and saw what I was doing. I turned it off as well as I could, and +helped move the furniture where the water was coming down upon it. +There was a lot of money in those bags, and I didn't like to give them +up. Dock had said something to me about going to Australia with him, +and I thought I could take the money out here with me. + +"Just as soon as it came out that the gold was gone, Captain Vincent +pitched into me. He knew then what I was screwing up that board for. It +wasn't any use to deny it to him after what he had seen. I said I would +give it back to the old man, and tell him I had taken it to keep it +from being lost in the fire. Dock said it wan't worth while to do that; +the old man had lost it, and he wouldn't feel any worse if he didn't +find it. We talked it over, and after a while I agreed to divide with +him. + +"Then he began to tell me, a little at once, about carrying off Miss +Watson again. I didn't like the job; but Dock said he'd send me to jail +for stealing the gold if I didn't go in with him; and I had to go. When +the new Starry Flag came round, he told me Levi wanted to hire me +before the mast, and told me to engage with him, so as to help him get +Miss Watson when the time came. All along, Dock said that Levi was in +his way. If he could get rid of him, he could carry her off without any +trouble. So he laid the stealing to him, and tried to prove it on him. + +"Dock told me to put the bag and some of the gold in the state-room, +but I hadn't any chance to do it; the steward was in my way all the +time. The yacht was going off the next day, and Dock wanted to have +Levi taken up before he started. I handed the bag I had fixed to Ben +Seaver, and told him I had forgotten to do what the captain had +ordered. I asked him to give it to the steward, and tell him Levi +wanted him to put it into a locker in his state-room. Ben did just what +I told him; and I knew he was going off that day. Levi was taken up; +but things didn't work as Dock wanted. He was discharged. + +"All this time the money was hid under the shop. After the examination, +Dock wanted the money divided. I had taken out one hundred and fifty +dollars. We put fifty in the bag before, and divided a hundred. I +agreed to meet him at the old fish-house, that was burned, and I +carried the bags down, and put them under an old sail, where I could +get the money when we wanted it. + +"Dock and I met in the fish-house at ten o'clock. He had a lantern, so +that we could see to count the money. We sat down on the rocks to talk +the matter over, for Dock wanted the whole of the money then, and +promised to give me my share when we got to Australia. I didn't like +this; and while we were talking about it, the steward tumbled down +through the floor of the loft right between us. I never was so scared +in my life. I thought the evil one was after me for what I had done. +Dock was as scared as I was, and we both ran off as fast as our legs +would carry us. + +"We went into Dock's back kitchen, and staid there till the alarm of +fire was given. We meant to go back, but neither of us dared to do so. +The fish-house got afire, and burned up; and that was the last we saw +of the gold. Augustus can tell you better than I can where it went to." + +"I have told that already," interposed the steward. + +"When the Caribbee was ready to sail," continued Mat, "Dock went to New +York, and told Captain Gauley to follow as soon as Miss Watson was on +board. I was told to watch my chance when Levi was on board the yacht, +and go to her, saying he had sent me for her. I waited three days +without having such a chance, when the race at Portland fixed things +just as I wanted them. You know how I worked it. I wouldn't have done +it if I hadn't been afraid Dock would send me to jail. As soon as we +got to New York, Captain Gauley sent a letter to Boston, where Dock was +keeping himself out of sight till he could get the money. I suppose he +sent his letter to Mr. Watson as soon as he heard Miss Watson was +missing. We waited ten days below New York; but Dock didn't come. Then +Captain Gauley got a letter from him, saying things were going wrong +with him, and ordering the vessel to sail without him. He was to come +out here by steamer." + +Mat Mogmore's confession made everything plain. What was not understood +before was clear enough now. Dock Vincent did not believe in the power +of goodness; and when he took advantage of the robbery to charge the +crime upon Levi, he did not realize that a young man's character is his +tower of strength. He failed to break down his reputation, failed to +ruin him, failed to injure him in the opinion of any for more than a +brief period. Perhaps, if he could have ruined Levi, and got him out of +the way, as he desired, he might have succeeded in his wicked +intention, though God does not often permit such iniquity to prosper. + +By the next steamer Mr. Watson's family departed for home. The Starry +Flag was carefully repaired, an abundant supply of provisions put on +board, and she sailed for the United States. Mat Mogmore returned +voluntarily in her. As Mr. Watson had decided to spend two or three +months in Europe on his return, Levi did not hasten his homeward +voyage. At the Cape of Good Hope he staid a couple of weeks, to see the +country. He remained about the same time at St. Helena, at Ascension, +at the Cape Verde Islands, and at the Bermudas, thus avoiding the +winter storms of the North Atlantic, besides seeing the wonders of the +sunny isles of the ocean. + +About the middle of May The Starry Flag was discovered entering Sandy +Bay. Mr. Watson and his family, who had arrived a month before, had +gone to their summer home; and when those who cast frequent glances to +seaward discovered the yacht, Mr. Watson was informed of her arrival. +With Bessie on his arm, he hastened down to the Point, where hundreds +of Levi's friends had already gathered to welcome him. The anchor of +the yacht went down among the rocks off the Point, the sails were +furled, and all hands went on shore. + +Levi's reception was worthy of a hero. He was cheered as though he had +been a great admiral coming home from his conquest of the seas; but the +tearful welcome which Bessie Watson bestowed upon him was more grateful +than the plaudits of the multitude. He went with her to her father's +house, and the rest of the day and a long evening were spent in +relating the incidents of their return from that distant land, half +round the world. + +"How is my uncle now?" asked Levi of Mr. Gayles, who formed one of the +party. + +"He is about the same as usual," replied the constable. "He has lost +ten thousand dollars by Dock Vincent, and he groans about that night +and day." + +"That money can be recovered," said Mr. Watson. "Vincent did not use +it." + +"The trial of Dock has been postponed from time to time on account of +your absence," added Mr. Gayles. "The case will be called again next +week." + +When it was assigned the next time, the witnesses were in the +court-room. Dock and Mr. Fairfield were arraigned. Mat Mogmore was +permitted to testify for the government. Both were found guilty; but, +while Dock was sentenced to the longest term of imprisonment provided +by law for his crimes, the old man was sentenced to the shortest, with +a fine of one thousand dollars. Dock's term was ten years. It broke his +spirit. His little plan was a total failure, and too late he found that +the way of the wicked shall not prosper. He was sent to the state +prison, and disappeared from public view. + +Mr. Fairfield was sent to the common jail; but it was evident that he +was dying by inches of mental disorder, and his pardon was procured by +the influence of Mr. Watson. He went back to his home. The ten thousand +dollars which Dock had borrowed of him was recovered, in process of +law, of the person with whom the swindler had deposited it. The old man +had really lost but a thousand dollars, the amount of his fine; but he +was too miserable to survive long, and died two years after his +discharge from prison. Levi was his heir, but he gave his aunt the use +of the money while she lived. Her Bible and her religious newspaper +were her best friends, and she learned to open her heart and open her +purse-strings. She had nothing to do now, and she became, under Levi's +good advice, a blessing to the poor and the suffering. + +When Levi was twenty-one, Mr. Gayles's function as guardian ceased, and +he paid over to his ward his entire fortune. But this was a trivial +event compared with another, which occurred a few months later, in +Boston; when, in Mr. Watson's elegant mansion, Levi and Bessie received +the congratulations of all their friends. Rockport was strongly +represented on this interesting occasion. + +"May all angels, celestial and terrestrial, keep perpetual vigil over +you, Mrs. Fairfield," said Mr. C. Augustus Ebénier, as he touched the +gloved hand of the bride, whom he did not presume to kiss, as others +did. "And the next time you attempt the semi-circumnavigation of this +mundane sphere, may I have the honor to be the cabin steward of the +bark that bears you o'er the stormy sea." + +"May prosperity and happiness be yours, Mrs. Fairfield," said Squire +Saunders. "Levi, this time I must commit you--to the care of this +lady." + +"I have taken care of Levi for a good many years, Mrs. Fairfield," +added Mr. Gayles; "but I cheerfully resign in your favor." + +"I never saw so many grand people and sech nice things in all my born +days," said aunt Susan; "but Levi's wuth the whole on 'em. I know he'll +make you a good husband, and you'll make him a good wife;" and the old +lady planted a hearty smack on the cheek of each. + +When Levi and Bessie returned from their bridal tour in Europe, in the +following spring, they took up their residence in the mansion of Mr. +Watson, on the Point. The Starry Flag and The Starry Flag, Jr., both +lie in sight of the house, and both of them are frequently used for +long and short trips. While Captain Fairfield--as he is generally +called--and his beautiful wife hope the day is far distant which will +make him a _millionnaire_, this event, in the course of nature, must +occur; yet is he richer now, in the possession of a noble character and +a true Christian spirit, than he can be made by any FREAKS OF FORTUNE. + + + + +OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS + + +All-Over-the-World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. First Series. Illustrated. +Price per volume, $1.25. + + * * * * * + +1. A Missing Million; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF LOUIS BELGRADE. + +2. A Millionaire at Sixteen; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE "GUARDIAN MOTHER." + +3. A Young Knight Errant; OR, CRUISING IN THE WEST INDIES. + +4. Strange Sights Abroad; OR, ADVENTURES IN EUROPEAN WATERS. + + No author has come before the public during the present generation + who has achieved a larger and more deserving popularity among young + people than "Oliver Optic." His stories have been very numerous, + but they have been uniformly excellent in moral tone and literary + quality. As indicated in the general title, it is the author's + intention to conduct the readers of this entertaining series + "around the world." As a means to this end, the hero of the story + purchases a steamer which he names the "Guardian Mother," and with + a number of guests she proceeds on her voyage.--_Christian Work, + N.Y._ + + +All-Over-the-World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Second Series. Illustrated. +Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. American Boys Afloat; OR, CRUISING IN THE ORIENT. + +2. The Young Navigators; OR, THE FOREIGN CRUISE OF THE "MAUD.". + +3. Up and Down the Nile; OR, YOUNG ADVENTURERS IN AFRICA. + +4. Asiatic Breezes; OR, STUDENTS ON THE WING. + + The interest in these stories is continuous, and there is a great + variety of exciting incident woven into the solid information which + the book imparts so generously and without the slightest suspicion + of dryness. Manly boys will welcome this volume as cordially as + they did its predecessors.--_Boston Gazette._ + + +All-Over-the-World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Third Series. Illustrated. +Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Across India; OR, LIVE BOYS IN THE FAR EAST. + +2. Half Round the World; OR, AMONG THE UNCIVILIZED. + +3. Four Young Explorers; OR, SIGHT-SEEING IN THE TROPICS. + +4. Pacific Shores; OR, ADVENTURES IN EASTERN SEAS. + + Amid such new and varied surroundings it would be surprising indeed + if the author, with his faculty of making even the commonplace + attractive, did not tell an intensely interesting story of + adventure, as well as give much information in regard to the + distant countries through which our friends pass, and the strange + peoples with whom they are brought in contact. This book, and + indeed the whole series, is admirably adapted to reading aloud in + the family circle, each volume containing matter which will + interest all the members of the family.--_Boston Budget._ + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS + + +The Blue and the Gray--Afloat. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. +Beautiful binding in blue and gray, with emblematic dies. Cloth. Any +volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.50. + +1. Taken by the Enemy. +2. Within the Enemy's Lines. +3. On the Blockade. +4. Stand by the Union. +5. Fighting for the Right. +6. A Victorious Union. + + +The Blue and the Gray--on Land. + +1. Brother against Brother. +2. In the Saddle. +3. A Lieutenant at Eighteen. +4. On the Staff. +5. At the Front. +6. An Undivided Union. + + "There never has been a more interesting writer in the field of + juvenile literature than Mr. W. T. ADAMS, who, under his well-known + pseudonym, is known and admired by every boy and girl in the + country, and by thousands who have long since passed the boundaries + of youth, yet who remember with pleasure the genial, interesting + pen that did so much to interest, instruct, and entertain their + younger years. 'The Blue and the Gray' is a title that is + sufficiently indicative of the nature and spirit of the latest + series, while the name of OLIVER OPTIC is sufficient warrant of the + absorbing style of narrative. This series is as bright and + entertaining as any work that Mr. ADAMS has yet put forth, and will + be as eagerly perused as any that has borne his name. It would not + be fair to the prospective reader to deprive him of the zest which + comes from the unexpected by entering into a synopsis of the story. + A word, however, should be said in regard to the beauty and + appropriateness of the binding, which makes it a most attractive + volume."--_Boston Budget_. + + +Woodville Stories. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Any +volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Rich and Humble; OR, THE MISSION OF BERTHA GRANT. +2. In School and Out; OR, THE CONQUEST OF RICHARD GRANT. +3. Watch and Wait; OR, THE YOUNG FUGITIVES. +4. Work and Win; OR, NODDY NEWMAN ON A CRUISE. +5. Hope and Have; OR, FANNY GRANT AMONG THE INDIANS +6. Haste and Waste; OR, THE YOUNG PILOT OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. + + "Though we are not so young as we once were, we relished these + stories almost as much as the boys and girls for whom they were + written. They were really refreshing, even to us. There is much in + them which is calculated to inspire a generous, healthy ambition, + and to make distasteful all reading tending to stimulate base + desires."--_Fitchburg Reveille_. + + +The Starry Flag Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. +Any volume sold separately. Price per volume $1.25. + +1. The Starry Flag; OR, THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. +2. Breaking Away; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STUDENT. +3. Seek and Find; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A SMART BOY. +4. Freaks of Fortune; OR, HALF ROUND THE WORLD. +5. Make or Break; OR, THE RICH MAN'S DAUGHTER. +6. Down the River; OR, BUCK BRADFORD AND THE TYRANTS. + + "Mr. ADAMS, the celebrated and popular writer, familiarly known as + OLIVER OPTIC, seems to have inexhaustible funds for weaving + together the virtues of life; and, notwithstanding he has written + scores of books, the same freshness and novelty run through them + all. Some people think the sensational element predominates. + Perhaps it does. But a book for young people needs this, and so + long as good sentiments are inculcated such books ought to be + read." + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS + + +Army and Navy Stories. BY OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes, Illustrated. Any +volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. The Soldier Boy; OR, TOM SOMERS IN THE ARMY. +2. The Sailor Boy; OR, JACK SOMERS IN THE NAVY. +3. The Young Lieutenant; OR, ADVENTURES OF AN ARMY OFFICER. +4. The Yankee Middy; OR, ADVENTURES OF A NAVY OFFICER. +5. Fighting Joe; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STAFF OFFICER. +6. Brave Old Salt; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK. + + "This series of six volumes recounts the adventures of two + brothers, Tom and Jack Somers, one in the army, the other in the + navy, in the great Civil War. The romantic narratives of the + fortunes and exploits of the brothers are thrilling in the extreme. + Historical accuracy in the recital of the great events of that + period is strictly followed, and the result is, not only a library + of entertaining volumes, but also the best history of the Civil War + for young people ever written." + + +Boat Builders Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any +volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. All Adrift; OR, THE GOLDWING CLUB. +2. Snug Harbor; OR, THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS. +3. Square and Compasses; OR, BUILDING THE HOUSE. +4. Stem to Stern; OR, BUILDING THE BOAT. +5. All Taut; OR, RIGGING THE BOAT. +6. Ready About; OR, SAILING THE BOAT. + + "The series includes in six successive volumes the whole art of + boat building, boat rigging, boat managing, and practical hints to + make the ownership of a boat pay. A great deal of useful information + is given in this Boat Builders Series, and in each book a very + interesting story is interwoven with the information. Every reader + will be interested at once in Dory, the hero of 'All Adrift,' and + one of the characters retained in the subsequent volumes of the + series. His friends will not want to lose sight of him, and every + boy who makes his acquaintance in 'All Adrift' will become his + friend." + + +Riverdale Story Books. By OLIVER OPTIC. Twelve volumes. Illustrated. +Illuminated covers. Price: cloth, per set, $3.60; per volume, 30 cents; +paper, per set, $2.00. + +1. Little Merchant. +2. Young Voyagers. +3. Christmas Gift. +4. Dolly and I. +5. Uncle Ben. +6. Birthday Party. +7. Proud and Lazy. +8. Careless Kate. +9. Robinson Crusoe, Jr. +10. The Picnic Party. +11. The Gold Thimble. +12. The Do-Somethings. + + +Riverdale Story Books. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Fancy +cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 cents. + +1. Little Merchant. +2. Proud and Lazy. +3. Young Voyagers. +4. Careless Kate. +5. Dolly and I. +6. Robinson Crusoe, Jr. + + +Flora Lee Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Fancy +cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 cents. + +1. The Picnic Party. +2. The Gold Thimble. +3. The Do-Somethings. +4. Christmas Gift. +5. Uncle Ben. +6. Birthday Party. + + These are bright short stories for younger children who are unable + to comprehend the Starry Flag Series or the Army and Navy Series. + But they all display the author's talent for pleasing and + interesting the little folks. They are all fresh and original, + preaching no sermons, but inculcating good lessons. + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS + + +The Great Western Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. +Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Going West; OR, THE PERILS OF A POOR BOY. +2. Out West; OR, ROUGHING IT ON THE GREAT LAKES. +3. Lake Breezes; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE SYLVANIA. +4. Going South; OR, YACHTING ON THE ATLANTIC COAST. +5. Down South; OR, YACHT ADVENTURES IN FLORIDA. +6. Up the River; OR, YACHTING ON THE MISSISSIPPI. + + "This is the latest series of books issued by this popular writer, + and deals with life on the Great Lakes, for which a careful study + was made by the author in a summer tour of the immense water + sources of America. The story, which carries the same hero through + the six books of the series, is always entertaining, novel scenes + and varied incidents giving a constantly changing yet always + attractive aspect to the narrative. OLIVER OPTIC has written + nothing better." + + +The Yacht Club Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. +Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Little Bobtail; OR, THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT. +2. The Yacht Club; OR, THE YOUNG BOAT BUILDERS. +3. Money-Maker; OR, THE VICTORY OF THE BASILISK. +4. The Coming Wave; OR, THE TREASURE OF HIGH ROCK. +5. The Dorcas Club; OR, OUR GIRLS AFLOAT. +6. Ocean Born; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE CLUBS. + + "The series has this peculiarity, that all of its constituent + volumes are independent of one another, and therefore each story is + complete in itself. OLIVER OPTIC is, perhaps, the favorite author + of the boys and girls of this country, and he seems destined to + enjoy an endless popularity. He deserves his success, for he makes + very interesting stories, and inculcates none but the best + sentiments, and the 'Yacht Club' is no exception to this + rule."--_New Haven Journal and Courier_. + + +Onward and Upward Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. +Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Field and Forest; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A FARMER. +2. Plane and Plank; OR, THE MISHAPS OF A MECHANIC. +3. Desk and Debit; OR, THE CATASTROPHES OF A CLERK. +4. Cringle and Crosstree; OR, THE SEA SWASHES OF A SAILOR. +5. Bivouac and Battle; OR, THE STRUGGLES OF A SOLDIER. +6. Sea and Shore; OR, THE TRAMPS OF A TRAVELLER. + + "Paul Farringford, the hero of these tales, is, like most of this + author's heroes, a young man of high spirit, and of high aims and + correct principles, appearing in the different volumes as a farmer, + a captain, a bookkeeper, a soldier, a sailor, and a traveller. In + all of them the hero meets with very exciting adventures, told in + the graphic style for which the author is famous." + + +The Lake Shore Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. +Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Through by Daylight; OR, THE YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE LAKE SHORE + RAILROAD. +2. Lightning Express; OR, THE RIVAL ACADEMIES. +3. On Time; OR, THE YOUNG CAPTAIN OF THE UCAYGA STEAMER. +4. Switch Off; OR, THE WAR OF THE STUDENTS. +5. Brake Up; OR, THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS. +6. Bear and Forbear; OR, THE YOUNG SKIPPER OF LAKE UCAYGA. + + "OLIVER OPTIC is one of the most fascinating writers for youth, and + withal one of the best to be found in this or any past age. Troops + of young people hang over his vivid pages; and not one of them ever + learned to be mean, ignoble, cowardly, selfish, or to yield to any + vice from anything they ever read from his pen."--_Providence + Press_. + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS + + +The Famous Boat Club Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. +Any volume sold separately. Price per volume $1.25. + +1. The Boat Club; OR, THE BUNKERS OF RIPPLETON. +2. All Aboard; OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE. +3. Now or Never; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT. +4. Try Again; OR, THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF HARRY WEST. +5. Poor and Proud; OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN. +6. Little by Little; or, THE CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY. + + "This is the first series of books written for the young by OLIVER + OPTIC. It laid the foundation for his fame as the first of authors + in which the young delight, and gained for him the title of the + Prince of Story Tellers. The six books are varied in incident and + plot, but all are entertaining and original." + +(_Other volumes in preparation._) + + +Young America Abroad: A LIBRARY OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE IN FOREIGN +LANDS. By OLIVER OPTIC. Illustrated by NAST and others. First Series. +Six volumes. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Outward Bound; OR, YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT. +2. Shamrock and Thistle; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND. +3. Red Cross; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ENGLAND AND WALES. +4. Dikes and Ditches; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM. +5. Palace and Cottage; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND. +6. Down the Rhine; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY. + + "The story from its inception, and through the twelve volumes (see + Second Series), is a bewitching one, while the information imparted + concerning the countries of Europe and the isles of the sea is not + only correct in every particular, but is told in a captivating + style. OLIVER OPTIC will continue to be the boys' friend, and his + pleasant books will continue to be read by thousands of American + boys. What a fine holiday present either or both series of Young + America Abroad' would be for a young friend! It would make a little + library highly prized by the recipient, and would not be an + expensive one."--_Providence Press._ + + +Young America Abroad. By OLIVER OPTIC. Second Series. Six volumes. +Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. + +1. Up the Baltic; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN NORWAY, SWEDEN, AND DENMARK. +2. Northern Lands; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN RUSSIA AND PRUSSIA. +3. Cross and Crescent; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN TURKEY AND GREECE. +4. Sunny Shores; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ITALY AND AUSTRIA. +5. Vine and Olive; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. +6. Isles of the Sea; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND. + + "OLIVER OPTIC is a _nom de plume_ that is known and loved by + almost every boy of intelligence in the land. We have seen a highly + intellectual and world-weary man, a cynic whose heart was somewhat + embittered by its large experience of human nature, take up one of + OLIVER OPTIC'S books, and read it at a sitting, neglecting his work + in yielding to the fascination of the pages. When a mature and + exceedingly well-informed mind, long despoiled of all its + freshness, can thus find pleasure in a book for boys, no additional + words of recommendation are needed."--_Sunday Times._ + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +LEE AND SHEPARD'S ILLUSTRATED JUVENILES + + +J. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS + + * * * * * + +THE START IN LIFE SERIES. 4 volumes. + + +A Start in Life: A STORY OF THE GENESEE COUNTRY. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. +Illustrated. $1.00. + + In this story the author recounts the hardships of a young lad in + his first endeavor to start out for himself. It is a tale that is + full of enthusiasm and budding hopes. The writer shows how hard the + youths of a century ago were compelled to work. This he does in an + entertaining way, mingling fun and adventures with their daily + labors. The hero is a striking example of the honest boy, who is + not too lazy to work, nor too dull to thoroughly appreciate a joke. + + +Biding His Time. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.00. + + "It is full of spirit and adventure, and presents a plucky hero who + was willing to 'bide his time,' no matter how great the + expectations that he indulged in from his uncle's vast wealth, + which he did not in the least covet.... He was left a poor orphan + in Ohio at seventeen years of age, and soon after heard of a rich + uncle, who lived near Boston. He sets off on the long journey to + Boston, finds his uncle, an eccentric old man, is hospitably + received by him, but seeks employment in a humble way, and proves + that he is a persevering and plucky young man."--_Boston Home + Journal._ + + +The Kelp Gatherers: A STORY OF THE MAINE COAST. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. +Illustrated. $1.00. + + This book is full of interesting information upon the plant life of + the seashore, and the life of marine animals; but it is also a + bright and readable story, with all the hints of character and the + vicissitudes of human life, in depicting which the author is an + acknowledged master. + + +The Scarlet Tanager, AND OTHER BIPEDS. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. +Illustrated. $1.00. + + Every new story which Mr. TROWBRIDGE begins is followed through + successive chapters by thousands who have read and re-read many + times his preceding tales. One of his greatest charms is his + absolute truthfulness. He does not depict little saints, or + incorrigible rascals, but just _boys_. This same fidelity to nature + is seen in his latest book, "The Scarlet Tanager, and Other + Bipeds." There is enough adventure in this tale to commend it to + the liveliest reader, and all the lessons it teaches are wholesome. + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +J. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS + +THE TIDE-MILL STORIES. 6 volumes. + + +Phil and His Friends. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + The hero is the son of a man who from drink got into debt, and, + after having given a paper to a creditor authorizing him to keep + the son as a security for his claim, ran away, leaving poor Phil a + bond slave. The story involves a great many unexpected incidents, + some of which are painful, and some comic. Phil manfully works for + a year, cancelling his father's debt, and then escapes. The + characters are strongly drawn, and the story is absorbingly + interesting. + + +The Tinkham Brothers' Tide-Mill. J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "The Tinkham Brothers" were the devoted sons of an invalid mother. + The story tells how they purchased a tide-mill, which afterwards, + by the ill-will and obstinacy of neighbors, became a source of much + trouble to them. It tells also how, by discretion and the exercise + of a peaceable spirit, they at last overcame all difficulties. + + "Mr. TROWBRIDGE'S humor, his fidelity to nature, and story-telling + power lose nothing with years; and he stands at the head of those + who are furnishing a literature for the young, clean and sweet in + tone, and always of interest and value."--_The Continent._ + + +The Satin-wood Box. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "Mr. TROWBRIDGE has always a purpose in his writings, and this time + he has undertaken to show how very near an innocent boy can come to + the guilty edge and yet be able by fortunate circumstances to rid + himself of all suspicion of evil. There is something winsome about + the hero; but he has a singular way of falling into bad luck, + although the careful reader will never feel the least disposed to + doubt his honesty.... It is the pain and perplexity which impart to + the story its intense interest."--_Syracuse Standard._ + + +The Little Master. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + This is the story of a schoolmaster, his trials, disappointments, + and final victory. It will recall to many a man his experience in + teaching pupils, and in managing their opinionated and self-willed + parents. The story has the charm which is always found in Mr. + TROWBRIDGE'S works. + + "Many a teacher could profit by reading of this plucky little + schoolmaster."--_Journal of Education._ + + +His One Fault. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "As for the hero of this story, 'His One Fault' was + absent-mindedness. He forgot to lock his uncle's stable door, and + the horse was stolen. In seeking to recover the stolen horse, he + unintentionally stole another. In trying to restore the wrong horse + to his rightful owner, he was himself arrested. After no end of + comic and dolorous adventures, he surmounted all his misfortunes by + downright pluck and genuine good feeling. It is a noble + contribution to juvenile literature."--_Woman's Journal._ + + +Peter Budstone. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "TROWBRIDGE'S other books have been admirable and deservedly + popular but this one, in our opinion, is the best yet. It is a + story at once spirited and touching, with a certain dramatic and + artistic quality that appeals to the literary sense as well as to + the story-loving appetite. In it Mr. TROWBRIDGE has not lectured or + moralized or remonstrated; he has simply shown boys what they are + doing when they contemplate hazing. By a good artistic impulse we + are not shown the hazing at all; when the story begins, the hazing + is already over, and we are introduced immediately to the results. + It is an artistic touch also that the boy injured is not hurt + because he is a fellow of delicate nerves, but because of his very + strength, and the power with which he resisted until overcome by + numbers, and subjected to treatment which left him insane. His + insanity takes the form of harmless delusion, and the absurdity of + his ways and talk enables the author to lighten the sombreness + without weakening the moral, in a way that ought to win all boys to + his side."--_The Critic._ + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +J. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS + +THE SILVER MEDAL STORIES. 6 volumes. + + +The Silver Medal, AND OTHER STORIES. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. +$1.25. + + There were some schoolboys who had turned housebreakers, and among + their plunder was a silver medal that had been given to one John + Harrison by the Humane Society for rescuing from drowning a certain + Benton Barry. Now Benton Barry was one of the wretched housebreakers. + This is the summary of the opening chapter. The story is intensely + interesting in its serious as well as its humorous parts. + + +His Own Master. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "This is a book after the typical boy's own heart. Its hero is a + plucky young fellow, who, seeing no chance for himself at home, + determines to make his own way in the world.... He sets out + accordingly, trudges to the far West, and finds the road to fortune + an unpleasantly rough one."--_Philadelphia Inquirer._ + + "We class this as one of the best stories for boys we ever read. + The tone is perfectly healthy, and the interest is kept up to the + end."--_Boston Home Journal._ + + +Bound in Honor. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + This story is of a lad, who, though not guilty of any bad action, + had been an eye-witness of the conduct of his comrades, and felt + "Bound in Honor" not to tell. + + "The glimpses we get of New England character are free from any + distortion, and their humorous phases are always entertaining. Mr. + TROWBRIDGE'S brilliant descriptive faculty is shown to great + advantage in the opening chapter of the book by a vivid picture of + a village fire, and is manifested elsewhere with equally telling + effect."--_Boston Courier._ + + +The Pocket Rifle. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "A boy's story which will be read with avidity, as it ought to be, + it is so brightly and frankly written, and with such evident + knowledge of the temperaments and habits, the friendships and + enmities of schoolboys."--_New York Mail._ + + "This is a capital story for boys. TROWBRIDGE never tells a story + poorly. It teaches honesty, integrity, and friendship, and how best + they can be promoted. It shows the danger of hasty judgment and + circumstantial evidence; that right-doing pays, and dishonesty + never."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._ + + +The Jolly Rover. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "This book will help to neutralize the ill effects of any poison + which children may have swallowed in the way of sham-adventurous + stories and wildly fictitious tales. 'The Jolly Rover' runs away + from home, and meets life as it is, till he is glad enough to seek + again his father's house. Mr. TROWBRIDGE has the power of making an + instructive story absorbing in its interest, and of covering a + moral so that it is easy to take."--_Christian Intelligencer._ + + +Young Joe, AND OTHER BOYS. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.25. + + "Young Joe," who lived at Bass Cove, where he shot wild ducks, took + some to town for sale, and attracted the attention of a portly + gentleman fond of shooting. This gentleman went duck shooting with + Joe, and their adventures were more amusing to the boy than to the + amateur sportsman. + + There are thirteen other short stories in the book which will be + sure to please the young folks. + + +The Vagabonds: AN ILLUSTRATED POEM. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Cloth. $1.50. + + "The Vagabonds" are a strolling fiddler and his dog. The fiddler + has been ruined by drink, and his monologue is one of the most + pathetic and effective pieces in our literature. + + +LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE. + + + + +BOOKS BY + +EVERETT T. TOMLINSON + + * * * * * + +THE WAR OF 1812 SERIES + +By EVERETT T. TOMLINSON Cloth +Illustrated Per volume $1.50 + +COMPRISING + +The Search for Andrew Field + The Boy Soldiers Of 1812 + The Boy Officers of 1812 + +Tecumseh's Young Braves + Guarding the Border + The Boys with Old Hickory + +Mr. Tomlinson, who knows the "ins and outs" of boy nature by heart, is +one of the most entertaining and at the same time one of the most +instructive of living writers of juvenile fiction. In his younger days +a teacher by profession, he has made boys and their idiosyncrasies the +absorbing study of his life, and, with the accumulated experience of +years to aid him, has applied himself to the task of preparing for +their mental delectation a diet that shall be at once wholesome and +attractive; and that his efforts in this laudable direction have been +successful is conclusively proven by his popularity among boy readers. + + +LIBRARY OF HEROIC EVENTS + +STORIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION + +_First Series_ + +By EVERETT T. TOMLINSON Cloth +Illustrated $1.00 + + +STORIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION + +_Second Series_ + +By EVERETT T. TOMLINSON Cloth +Illustrated $1.00 + +_Sold by all booksellers and sent prepaid on receipt of price_ + + * * * * * + +_LEE AND SHEPARD Publishers Boston_ + + + + +THE OLD GLORY SERIES. + +By EDWARD STRATEMEYER, + +_Author of "The Bound to Succeed Series," "The Ship and Shore +Series," etc._ + +Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25. + + +UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA Or the War Fortunes of a Castaway. + +A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA Or Fighting for the Single Star. + +FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS Or Under Schley on the Brooklyn. + +UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES Or a Young Officer in the Tropics. (_In +press._) + + * * * * * + +PRESS NOTICES. + +"'Under Dewey at Manila' is a thoroughly timely book, in perfect +sympathy with the patriotism of the day. Its title is conducive to its +perusing, and its reading to anticipation. For the volume is but the +first of the Old Glory Series, and the imprint is that of the famed +firm of Lee and Shepard, whose name has been for so many years linked +with the publications of Oliver Optic. As a matter of fact, the story +is right in line with the productions of that gifted and most +fascinating of authors, and certainly there is every cause for +congratulation that the stirring events of our recent war are not to +lose their value for instruction through that valuable school which the +late William T. Adams made so individually distinctive. + +"Edward Stratemeyer, who is the author of the present work, has proved +an extraordinarily apt scholar, and had the book appeared anonymously +there could hardly have failed of a unanimous opinion that a miracle +had enabled the writer of the famous Army and Navy and other series to +resume his pen for the volume in hand. Mr. Stratemeyer has acquired in +a wonderfully successful degree the knack of writing an interesting +educational story which will appeal to the young people, and the plan +of his trio of books as outlined cannot fail to prove both interesting +and valuable."--_Boston Ideas._ + +"Stratemeyer's style suits the boys."--JOHN TERHUNE, _Supt. +of Public Instruction, Bergen Co., New Jersey._ + +"'The Young Volunteer in Cuba,' the second of the Old Glory Series, is +better than the first; perhaps it traverses more familiar ground. Ben +Russell, the brother of Larry, who was 'with Dewey,' enlists with the +volunteers and goes to Cuba, where he shares in the abundance of +adventure and has a chance to show his courage and honesty and +manliness, which win their reward. A good book for boys, giving a good +deal of information in a most attractive form."--_Universalist Leader._ + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price +by_ + +LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, + +BOSTON. + + + + +THE BOUND TO SUCCEED SERIES + +By EDWARD STRATEMEYER, + +_Author of "Under Dewey at Manila," etc._ + +Three Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00. + + * * * * * + +RICHARD DARE'S VENTURE Or Striking Out for Himself. + +OLIVER BRIGHT'S SEARCH Or The Mystery of a Mine. + +TO ALASKA FOR GOLD Or The Fortune Hunters of the Yukon. + + * * * * * + +PRESS OPINIONS OF EDWARD STRATEMEYER'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. + +"In 'Richard Dare's Venture,' Edward Stratemeyer has fully sustained +his reputation as an entertaining, helpful, and instructive writer for +boys."--_Philadelphia Call._ + +"'Richard Dare's Venture,' by Edward Stratemeyer, tells the story of a +country lad who goes to New York to earn enough to support his widowed +mother and orphaned sisters. Richard's energy, uprightness of +character, and good sense carry him through some trying experiences, +and gain him friends."--_The Churchman, New York._ + +"A breezy boy's book is 'Oliver Bright's Search.' The author has a +direct, graphic style, and every healthy minded youth will enjoy the +volume."--_N.Y. Commercial Advertiser._ + +"'Richard Dare's Venture' is a fresh, wholesome book to put into a +boy's hands."--_St. Louis Post Dispatch._ + +"'Richard Dare's Venture' is a wholesome story of a practical boy who +made a way for himself when thrown upon his own resources."--_Christian +Advocate._ + +"It is such books as 'Richard Dare's Venture' that are calculated to +inspire young readers with a determination to succeed in life, and to +choose some honorable walk in which to find that success. The author, +Edward Stratemeyer, has shown a judgment that is altogether too rare in +the makers of books for boys, in that he has avoided that sort of +heroics in the picturing of the life of his hero which deals in +adventures of the daredevil sort. In that respect alone the book +commends itself to the favor of parents who have a regard for the +education of their sons, but the story is sufficiently enlivening and +often thrilling to satisfy the healthful desires of the young +reader."--_Kansas City Star._ + +"Of standard writers of boys' stories there is quite a list, but those +who have not read any by Edward Stratemeyer have missed a very goodly +thing."--_Boston Ideas._ + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers, or will be sent, postpaid, on receipt +of price by_ + +LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, + +BOSTON. + + + + +THE SHIP AND SHORE SERIES + +By EDWARD STRATEMEYER. + +Three Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00. + + * * * * * + +THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE Or Luke Foster's Strange Voyage. + +REUBEN STONE'S DISCOVERY Or The Young Miller of Torrent Bend. + +TRUE TO HIMSELF Or Roger Strong's Struggle for Place. (_In press._) + + * * * * * + +PRESS OPINIONS OF EDWARD STRATEMEYER'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. + +"Mr. Edward Stratemeyer is in danger of becoming very popular among the +young people of the country."--_Burlington_ (Iowa) _Hawk-eye._ + +"'The Last Cruise of the Spitfire' is of deep interest to the bounding +heart of an enthusiastic boy. The book leaves a good impression on a +boy's mind, as it teaches the triumph of noble deeds and true +heroism."--_Kansas City_ (Mo.) _Times._ + +"Let us mention in passing two admirable books for boys, 'Reuben Stone's +Discovery' and 'Oliver Bright's Search,' by Edward Stratemeyer, with +whom we are all acquainted. This last bit of his work is especially +good, and the boy who gets one of these volumes will become very +popular among his fellows until the book is worn threadbare."--_N.Y. +Herald._ + +"A good sea-tale for boys is 'The Last Cruise of the Spitfire,' by +Edward Stratemeyer. There is plenty of adventure in it, a shipwreck, a +cruise on a raft, and other stirring perils of the deep."--_Detroit_ +(Mich.) _Journal._ + +"In a simple, plain, straightforward manner, Mr. Edward Stratemeyer +endeavors to show his boy readers what persistency, honesty, and +willingness to work have accomplished for his young hero, and his moral +is evident. Mr. Stratemeyer is very earnest and sincere in his +portraiture of young character beginning to shape itself to weather +against the future. A book of this sort is calculated to interest boys, +to feed their ambition with hope, and to indicate how they must fortify +themselves against the wiles of vice."--_Boston Herald._ + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers, or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price +by_ + +LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, + +BOSTON. + + + + +AMERICAN BOYS' SERIES + + +The books selected for this series are all thoroughly American, by such +favorite American authors of boys' books as Oliver Optic, Elijah +Kellogg, Prof. James DeMille, and others, now made for the first time +at a largely reduced price, in order to bring them within the reach of +all. Each volume complete in itself. + + +UNIFORM CLOTH BINDING ILLUSTRATED +NEW AND ATTRACTIVE DIES +Price per volume $1.00 + + 1. ADRIFT IN THE ICE FIELDS by Capt. Chas. W. Hall + 2. ALL ABOARD OR LIFE ON THE LAKE by Oliver Optic + 3. ARK OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg + 4. ARTHUR BROWN THE YOUNG CAPTAIN by Rev. Elijah Kellogg + 5. BOAT CLUB, THE, Or the Bunkers of Rippleton by Oliver Optic + 6. BOY FARMERS OF ELM ISLAND, THE by Rev. Elijah Kellogg + 7. BOYS OF GRAND PRÉ SCHOOL by Prof. James DeMille + 8. "B.O.W.C", THE by Prof. James DeMille + 9. BROUGHT TO THE FRONT Or the Young Defenders by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +10. BURYING THE HATCHET Or the Young Brave of the Delawares by Rev. + Elijah Kellogg +11. CAST AWAY IN THE COLD by Dr. Isaac I. Hayes +12. CHARLIE BELL THE WAIF OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +13. CHILD OF THE ISLAND GLEN by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +14. CROSSING THE QUICKSANDS by Samuel W. Cozzens +15. CRUISE OF THE CASCO by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +16. FIRE IN THE WOODS by Prof. James DeMille +17. FISHER BOYS OF PLEASANT COVE by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +18. FOREST GLEN Or the Mohawk's Friendship by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +19. GOOD OLD TIMES by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +20. HARDSCRABBLE OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +21. HASTE OR WASTE Or the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain by Oliver Optic +22. HOPE AND HAVE by Oliver Optic +23. IN SCHOOL AND OUT or the Conquest of Richard Grant by Oliver Optic +24. JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +25. JUST HIS LUCK by Oliver Optic +26. LION BEN OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +27. LITTLE BY LITTLE or the Cruise of the Flyaway by Oliver Optic +28. LIVE OAK BOYS or the Adventures of Richard Constable Afloat and + Ashore by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +29. LOST IN THE FOG by Prof. James DeMille +30. MISSION OF BLACK RIFLE or on the Trail by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +31. NOW OR NEVER or the Adventures of Bobby Bright By Oliver Optic +32. POOR AND PROUD or the Fortunes Or Kate Redburn By Oliver Optic +33. RICH AND HUMBLE or the Mission of Bertha Grant By Oliver Optic +34. SOPHOMORES OF RADCLIFFE or James Trafton and His Boston Friends + by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +35. SOWED BY THE WIND or the Poor Boy's Fortune by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +36. SPARK OF GENIUS or the College Life of James Trafton By Elijah + Kellogg +37. STOUT HEART or the Student From Over the Sea by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +38. STRONG ARM AND A MOTHER'S BLESSING by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +39. TREASURE OF THE SEA by Prof. James DeMille +40. TRY AGAIN or the Trials and Triumphs of Harry West By Oliver Optic +41. TURNING OF THE TIDE or Radcliffe Rich and His Patients By Rev. + Elijah Kellogg +42. UNSEEN HAND or James Renfew and His Boy Helpers By Rev. Elijah + Kellogg +43. WATCH AND WAIT or the Young Fugitives by Oliver Optic +44. WHISPERING PINE or the Graduates of Radcliffe by Rev. Elijah + Kellogg +45. WINNING HIS SPURS or Henry Morton's First Trial by Rev. Elijah + Kellogg +46. WOLF RUN or the Boys of the Wilderness by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +47. WORK AND WIN or Noddy Newman on a Cruise by Oliver Optic +48. YOUNG DELIVERERS OF PLEASANT COVE by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +49. YOUNG SHIPBUILDERS OF ELM ISLAND by Rev. Elijah Kellogg +50. YOUNG TRAIL HUNTERS by Samuel W. Cozzens + + +LEE and SHEPARD Publishers Boston + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Freaks of Fortune, by Oliver Optic + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FREAKS OF FORTUNE *** + +***** This file should be named 24631-8.txt or 24631-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/3/24631/ + +Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from scans of public domain material produced by +Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |