stice! Rogues in authority combine to condemn an
absent and a silent man. But if you think to do your violence with
impunity, know there are those who take deep interest in the welfare of
that youth."

"This is foolish bandying of menaces," said the captain, warmly. "If you
accept my offers, speak; and if you reject them, abide the consequences."

"I abide the consequences. But since we cannot come to terms, as victor
and the submitting party, we may part in amity. Touch my hand, Captain
Ludlow, as one brave man should salute another, though the next minute
they are to grapple at the throat."

Ludlow hesitated. The proposal was made with so frank and manly a mien,
and the air of the free-trader, as he leaned beyond the gunwale of his
boat, was so superior to his pursuit, that, unwilling to seem churlish, or
to be outdone in courtesy, he reluctantly consented, and laid his palm
within that the other offered. The smuggler profited by the junction to
draw the boats nearer, and, to the amazement of all who witnessed the
action, he stepped boldly into the yawl, and was seated, face to face,
with its officer in a moment.

"These are matters that are not fit for every ear," said the decided and
confident mariner, in an under tone, when he had made this sudden change
in the position of the parties. "Deal with me frankly, Captain Ludlow:--is
your prisoner left to brood on his melancholy, or does he feel the
consolation of knowing that others take an interest in his welfare?"

"He does not want for sympathy, Master Tiller--since he has the pity of
the finest woman in America."

"Ha! la belle Barberie owns her esteem!--is the conjecture right?"

"Unhappily, you are too near the truth. The infatuated girl seems but to
live in his presence. She has so far forgotten the opinions of others, as
to follow him to my ship!"

Tiller listened intently, and, from that instant, all concern disappeared
from his countenance.

"He who is thus favored may, for a moment, even forget the brigantine!" he
exclaimed, with all his natural recklessness of air. "And the
Alderman----?"

"Has more discretion than his niece, since he did not permit her to come
alone."

"Enough.--Captain Ludlow, let what will follow. We part as friends. Fear
not, Sir, to touch the hand of a proscribed man, again; it is honest
after its own fashion, and many is the peer and prince who keeps not so
clean a palm. Deal tenderly with that gay and rash young sailor; h