apers."

"Hain't got none."

"What's that?"

"Hain't got none."

"You--haven't--any--papers?"

"Nary paper."

The officer's brow grew dark. He looked around the vessel once more,
and then looked frowningly at Captain Corbet, who encountered his
glance with a serene smile.

"Look here, old man," said he; "you can't come it over me. Your little
game's up, old fellow. This schooner's seized."

"Seized? What for?"

"For violation of the law, by fishing within the limits."

"Limits? What limits?"

"No foreign vessel can come within three miles of the shore."

"Foreign vessel? Do you mean to call me a foreigner?"

"Of course I do. You're a Yankee fisherman."

"Am I?"

"Of course you are; and what do you mean by that confounded rag up
there?" cried the officer, pointing to the flag of the "B. O. W. C."
"If you think you can fish in this style, you'll find yourself
mistaken. I know too much about this business."

"Do you? Well, then, kind sir, allow me to mention that you've got
somethin to larn yet--spite o' your steam injines an spy-glasses."

"What's that?" cried the officer, furious. "I'll let you know. I
arrest you, and this vessel is seized."

"Wait a minute, young sir," cried Captain Corbet; "not QUITE so fast,
EF you please. You'll get YOURSELF arrested. What do you mean by this
here? Do you know who I am? I, sir, am a subject of Queen Victory.
My home is here. I'm now on my own natyve shore. A foreigner, am I?
Let me tell you, sir, that I was born, brung up, nourished, married, an
settled in this here province, an I've got an infant born here, an I'm
not a fisherman, an this ain't a fishin vessel. You arrest me ef you
dar. You'll see who'll get the wust of it in the long run. I'd like
precious well to get damages--yea, swingin damages--out of one of you
revenoo fellers."

The officer looked around again. It would not do to make a mistake.
Captain Corbet's words were not without effect.

"Yea!" cried Captain Corbet. "Yea, naval sir! I'm a free Nova Scotian
as free as a bird. I cruise about my natyve coasts whar I please.
Who's to hender? Seize me if you dar, an it'll be the dearest job you
ever tried. This here is my own private pleasure yacht. These are my
young friends, natyves, an amatoor fishermen. Cast your eye down into
yonder hold, and see if this here's a fishin craft."

The officer looked down, and saw a cooking stove, trunks, and bedding.
He looked around i