lower, Captain Davis.' When I tell
you that I desire he may get something over the hills and far away, you
'll guess at once--you 'll guess at once why--no, guess the reason--no,
you 'll see with half an eye how the cat jumps." He threw down his pen
at this, and rubbed his hands in an ecstasy of delight. "Climate does
n't signify a rush, for he's strong as a three-year-old, and has
the digestion of an 'ostrage;' the main thing, little to do, and
opportunities for blind hookey. As to outfit, and some money in hand,
I 'll stand it. Once launched, if there's only a billiard-table or
dice-box in the colony, he 'll not starve."

"Eh, Grog, my boy," cried he, with a laugh, "as the parsons say, 'Salary
less an object than a field of profitable labor!' And, by Jove! the
grass will be very short, indeed, where you can't get enough to feed on!
There 's no need to give Dunn a caution about reserve, and so forth with
him,--he knows Grog well."

Having finished this letter, and placed it carefully in his pocket, he
began the other, which, seeing that it was never to be delivered,
and only shown to Davis himself, cost him very little trouble in the
composition. Still it was not devoid of all difficulty, since, by the
expectations it might create in Grog's mind of obtaining the management
of the Irish property, it would be actually throwing obstacles in the
way of his going abroad. He therefore worded the epistle more carefully,
stating it to be his intention that Captain Davis should be his agent at
some future time not exactly defined, and requesting Dunn to confer with
him as one enjoying his own fullest confidence.

He had but finished the document when a sharp knock at the door
announced Davis. "The very man I wanted," said Beecher; "sit down and
read that."

Grog took his double eye-glass from his pocket,--an aid to his sight
only had recourse to when he meant to scrutinize every word and every
letter,--and sat down to read. "Vague enough," said he, as he concluded.
"Small credentials for most men, but quite sufficient for Kit Davis."

"I know that," said Beecher, half timidly; for no sooner in the
redoubted presence than he began to tremble at his own temerity.

"This Mr. Dunn is a practical sort of man, they say, so that we shall
soon understand each other," said Davis.

"Oh, you'll like him greatly."

"I don't want to like him," broke in Grog; "nor do I want him to like
_me_."

"He's a fellow of immense influence j