pe you will forgive my boldness.
Fact is, I felt quite attached to you at first sight.' And so on.
If there was one thing that Jonathan could do better than another it
was talking. The lady was at first very prim and reserved; but she
soon began to listen, smiled, and even tittered. A little boy about
two years old came in and stood near the fire. Having nothing else
to do, I took him on my knee, and set him prattling until we were
very good friends. Then an idea came into my head. I said:

"'I guess, Jonathan, this little kid is about the same age as your
youngest boy in Boston, ain't he?'

"Of course, Jonathan had no boy and was not married, but the sudden
change that came over that young lady was remarkable. She gave
Jonathan a look of fury, jumped up from her seat, snatched up her
sewing, and bounced out of the kitchen. The old man came in, and
told us to come along, and he would show us our bunks. We thought he
was a little queer, but he seemed uncommonly kind and anxious to make
us comfortable for the night. He took us to a hut very strongly
built with heavy slabs, left us a lighted candle, and bade us
good-night. After he closed the door we heard him put a padlock on
it; he was a kindly old chap, and did not want anybody to disturb us
during the night, and we soon fell fast asleep. Next morning he came
early and called us to breakfast. He stayed with us all the time,
and when we had eaten, said:

"'Well, have you had a good breakfast?'

"Jonathan spoke:

"'Yes, old man, we have. You are a gentleman; you have done yourself
proud, and we are thankful, ain't we, Jack? You are the best and
kindest old man we've met since we sailed from Boston. And now I
think it's time we made tracks for Launceston. By-bye, Captain.
Come along, Jack.'

"'No you won't, my fine coves,' replied the captain. 'You'll go back
to Hobarton, and join your ship if you have one, which I don't
believe. You can't humbug an old salt like me. You are a pair of
runaway convicts, and I'll give you in charge as sich. Here,
constables, put the darbies on 'em, and take 'em back to Hobarton.'

"Two men who had been awaiting orders outside the door now entered,
armed with carbines, produced each a pair of handcuffs, and came
towards us. But Jonathan drew back a step or two, clenched his big
fists, and said:

"'No, you don't. If this is your little game, captain, all I have to
say is, you are the darndest double-faced old