ruptly in his walk--"when do
you propose to liquidate this debt?"

"We'll sail the _Spot Cash_ into St. John's harbour, sir, on September
first, or before."

"With three hundred quintals of fish in her hold, I suppose?"

Three hundred quintals of dry fish, at four dollars, roughly, a
quintal, was twelve hundred dollars.

"More than that, sir," said Archie.

"Well, boy," said Sir Archibald, briskly, "the security I have spoken
of is all right, and----"

"Not worth much at auction sale," Archie interrupted, grinning.

"There's no better security in the world," said Sir Archibald, "than
youth, integrity and capacity."

Archie waited.

"I'll back you," said Sir Archibald, shortly.

"Father," Archie declared, his eyes shining with a little mist of
delight and affection, "I'll stand by this thing for all I'm worth!"

They shook hands upon it.

* * * * *

Sir Archibald presently wrote a check and scribbled a few lines on a
slip of paper. The check was for two hundred and fifty dollars; it was
for running expenses and emergencies that Archie needed the hard cash.
The slip of paper was an order upon the warehouses and shops for
credit in the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars.

"Now," said Sir Archibald, "it is explicitly understood between us
that on or before the first of September you are to turn over to the
firm of Armstrong & Company a sufficient quantity of properly cured
fish to liquidate this account."

"Yes, sir," Archie replied, earnestly; "on or before the first day of
September next."

"You perfectly understand the terms?" Sir Archibald insisted. "You
know the nature of this obligation?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, son," said Sir Archibald; "your honour is involved."

Archie received the two slips of paper. It must be confessed that they
burned his fingers a little. It was a good deal to come into
possession of all at once--a good deal of money and an awe-inspiring
responsibility. Sir Archibald watched the boy's face narrowly. He
seemed to be pleased with what he found there--a little fear, a little
anxiety, a great deal of determination. The veteran business man
wondered if the boy would sleep as easily as usual that night. Would
he wake up fresh and smiling in the morning? These were large cares to
lie upon the shoulders of a lad.

"Shall I give you a--well--a receipt--or a note--or anything like
that?" Archie asked.

"You are upon your honour