ht to adopt. So
many difficulties confront me as the scheme of development goes on;
but so far as I have been able to work out the problem, I think my
attitude must be straightforward, and that I should make a full
voluntary statement to the authorities. Meanwhile, if you pledge me
your Masonic honour to keep it a secret until I have made it public, I
will tell you the whole story."

The undertaking was readily given, and long before the whole story was
told, the pilot's Christian virtues had broken down. At frequent
intervals while the narrative was being told he interjected, "Oh! why
didn't you tell me?" His mind was transfixed. Then the processes of
it became confused. The vision of wealth and the reckless squandering
of some of it took possession of him, and with uncontrolled zeal he
called out--

"My God! what a story! O captain, why didn't you tell me what it was
at once, and not waste time? Let us get to work without delay. I will
undertake to land what you have got on an island and share the
proceeds with you."

"Too late, too late, my friend. You have thrown away an opportunity
which may never come to you again," replied the master, with a
mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Transactions of this kind are done
spontaneously and with vigour--they are not to be dreamed about."

"I admit my error, captain; but, oh! how was I to know? Surely you do
not mean to tell me that the balance of the tobacco has been thrown
overboard since I came here?"

"Yes, it is all gone. We do not hesitate when we face the inevitable,
no matter what the sacrifice may be."

"Well, I'm blowed!" soliloquized the pilot. "It will take me some
time to get over this little bit of history."

"I daresay," said the captain; "but it is time you took charge--she is
now within your jurisdiction. What do you say to going on the bridge?
You will find the chief officer there, with whom you may condole, if
it be safe for a stranger to speak of so delicate a subject to him.
You will, perhaps, find him stupefied with grief and shame at the
unpatriotic conduct of his commander, and I daresay his language will
impress you with the venerable traditions cherished by his class when
things are supposed to have gone wrong."

The pilot greeted the chief officer cordially, but did not receive a
very polite response to his attempts to draw him into conversation
about his recent experiences, and was cut short in a sailorly fashion
by being told if he wanted