re Hall made out a report of these two
occurrences and sent it up to Philadelphia by the mate of the packet.
But for some reason it was nearly four weeks before a sloop of war was
sent around from New York. In the meanwhile, the pirates had disposed
of the booty stored under the tarpaulins on the beach at Indian River
inlet, shipping some of it away in two small sloops and sending the rest
by wagons somewhere up the country.

VII

Levi had told the English captain that he was going up-country to visit
one of his lady friends. He was gone nearly two weeks. Then once more
he appeared, as suddenly, as unexpectedly, as he had done when he first
returned to Lewes. Hiram was sitting at supper when the door opened and
Levi walked in, hanging up his hat behind the door as unconcernedly as
though he had only been gone an hour. He was in an ugly, lowering humor
and sat himself down at the table without uttering a word, resting his
chin upon his clenched fist and glowering fixedly at the corn cake while
Dinah fetched him a plate and knife and fork.

His coming seemed to have taken away all of Hiram's appetite. He pushed
away his plate and sat staring at his stepbrother, who presently fell
to at the bacon and eggs like a famished wolf. Not a word was said until
Levi had ended his meal and filled his pipe. "Look'ee, Hiram," said he,
as he stooped over the fire and raked out a hot coal. "Look'ee, Hiram!
I've been to Philadelphia, d'ye see, a-settlin' up that trouble I told
you about when I first come home. D'ye understand? D'ye remember? D'ye
get it through your skull?" He looked around over his shoulder, waiting
as though for an answer. But getting none, he continued: "I expect two
gentlemen here from Philadelphia to-night. They're friends of mine and
are coming to talk over the business and ye needn't stay at home, Hi.
You can go out somewhere, d'ye understand?" And then he added with a
grin, "Ye can go to see Sally."

Hiram pushed back his chair and arose. He leaned with his back against
the side of the fireplace. "I'll stay at home," said he presently.

"But I don't want you to stay at home, Hi," said Levi. "We'll have to
talk business and I want you to go!"

"I'll stay at home," said Hiram again.

Levi's brow grew as black as thunder. He ground his teeth together and
for a moment or two it seemed as though an explosion was coming. But he
swallowed his passion with a gulp. "You're a----pig-headed, half-witted
fool," sai