ides," he added, on his
tramp past to the other rail, "he may be an owner into this schooner
property, for all I know. Sixteenths of her are scattered from tophet to
Tar Hollow!"

"You needn't worry about his owning schooner property! He is doing quite
a little job at putting you fellows out of business!"

Curiosity and something else gleamed in Captain Downs's eyes. "Chance
for me to rasp him, hey, by wishing you onto the family?"

This new idea in the situation appealed instantly to Bradish as a
possibility to be worked. "Promise man to man that you'll perform the
marriage, and I'll tell you his name; then you'll be glad that you have
promised," he said, eagerly.

"I don't reckon I'd try to get even with Judas I-scarrot himself
by stealing his daughter away from him, sir. There's the girl to be
considered in all such cases!"

"But this isn't stealing! We're in love."

"Maybe, but you ain't fooling me very much, young fellow. I don't say
but what you like her all right, but you're after something else, too."

"A man has to make his way in the world as best he can."

"That plan seems to be pretty fashionable among you financing fellows
nowadays. But I'm a pretty good judge of men and you can't fool me, I
say. Now how did you fool the girl?"

It was blunt and insulting query, but Bradish did not have the courage
to resent it; he had too much need of placating this despot. The lover
hesitated and glanced apprehensively at the man at the wheel.

"Don't mind that nigger!" yelped Captain Downs, "How did you ever get
nigh enough to that girl to horn-swoggle her into this foolishness?"

"We met at dances. We were attracted to each other," explained Bradish,
meekly.

"Huh! Yes, they tell me that girls are crazy over hoof-shaking these
days, and I suppose it's easy to go on from there into a general state
of plumb lunacy," commented Old Mull, with disgust. "You show you ain't
really in love with her, young man. You'd never allow her to cut up this
caper if you were!"

He stuck an unlighted cigar in his mouth and continued to patrol his
quarter-deck, muttering.

Bradish lighted a cigarette, tossed it away after two puffs, and leaned
against the house, studying his fingertips, scowling and sullen.

Mayo had heard all the conversation, but his interest in the identity of
these persons was limited; New York was full of rich men, and there were
many silly daughters.

"Look here," suggested the captain, unamiably,