ye.' No, the cuss would only show it to the
_Springbok;_ 'there's a reward,' says he. 'What's the price of a soul
aboard your cutter?' I asked him. 'Have you parted with yours, as you
want to buy one?' says he. 'Not one as would carry me right slick away to
everlasting blazes,' says I. So then we said good-morning, and he bore
away for Valparaiso. Presently I saw your smoke, and that you would never
overhaul old Stinkamalee on that track; so I came about. Now I tell _you_
that old cuss knows where the gal is, and mebbe got her tied hand and fut
in his cabin. An' I'm kinder sot on English gals; they put me in mind of
butter and honey. Why, my schooner is named after one. So now, cunule,
clap on steam for Valparaiso, and you'll soon overhaul the old stink-pot.
You may know him by the brown patch in his jib-sail, the ontidy varmint.
Pull out your purse and bind him to drop lying about ducks and geese, and
tell you the truth; he knows where your gal is, I swan. Wal, ye needn't
smother me." For by this time he was the center of a throng, all pushing
and driving to catch his words.

Captain Moreland begged him to step down into his cabin, and there the
general thanked him with great warmth and agitation for his humanity. "We
will follow your advice at once," he said. "Is there anything I can offer
you, without offense?"

"Wal," drawled the Yankee, "I guess not. Business an' sentiment won't mix
nohow. Business took me to the island, sentiment brought me here. I'll
take a shake-hand all round. And if y' have got live fowls to spare, I'll
be obliged to you for a couple. Ye see I'm colonizing that darned island;
an' sowing in with grain, an' Otaheitans, an' niggers, an' Irishmen, an'
all the cream o' creation; an' I'd be glad of a couple o' Dorkins to crow
the lazy varmint up."

This very moderate request was heartily complied with, and the
acclamation and cheers of the crew followed this strange character to his
schooner, at which his eye glistened and twinkled with quiet
satisfaction, but he made it a point of honor not to move a muscle.

Before he could get under way, the _Springbok_ took a circuit, and,
passing within a hundred yards of him, fired a gun to leeward by way of
compliment, set a cloud of canvas, and tore through the water at her
highest speed. Outside the port of Valparaiso she fell in with Skinflint,
and found him not quite so black as he was painted. The old fellow showed
some parental feeling, produced the