s unscrupulous, but he wasn't as bad
as he wished to be, and that's all you can say for him. I bury my
resentment with his body. He's dead, and my hatred's dead. To prove his
repentance he made his Will, of which this is a certified copy."

The Pilot handed to Jack a lengthy legal document, which had a heavy red
seal attached to it, and continued, "To my dar'ter he leaves the bulk of
his money, an' to me his ships. There, that ends the whole matter."

Jack read the deed while the Pilot smoked.

"You're a rich man, Captain Summerhayes," said he, as he handed back the
document to its owner.

"If I choose to take the gift," growled the Pilot.

"Which you must, or else see an immense sum of money go into the maw of
Chancery."

"Chancery be smothered! Ain't there my dar'ter Rose?"

"Yes, but she couldn't take the ships except at your wish or at your
death."

"Then she shall have 'em."

"Nonsense, Pilot. You know now that your brother never wronged you
unpardonably. You own that in a large measure you misjudged him. Now
then, place your unfounded charge against his evil intention, and you
are quits. He tried to square himself by leaving you half his wealth,
and you will square yourself with him by accepting his gift. If you
don't do that, you will die a worse man than he."

The Pilot was silent for some time, and drummed the table with his
fingers.

"I don't like it," he complained.

"You must take it. If you don't, you will drag before the public a
matter that must grieve your daughter."

"All right, I'll take it; but I shall hold it in trust for my gal."

"That is as you please."

"But there's one good thing in it, Jack. Sartoris! Rosebud! Come here.
There's a gentleman wants to see you."

Rose Summerhayes and the shipless Captain, when the Pilot opened his
mail, had retired to the kitchen, in order that the old man, who was
evidently upset by his news, might digest it quietly. They now
reappeared, looking half-scared lest the heavens had fallen on the
Pilot.

They were astonished to see him radiant, and laughing with Jack.

"Now, my gal and Captain Sartoris, sir, I've got a little matter to
clear up. I own there was a problem in them letters as almost bamfoozled
me. I confess it almost beat me. I own it got the better of me
considerably. But this young man, here--stand up, Jack, and don't look
as if you'd stolen the sugar out of the tea-caddy--this young man, my
dear, pulled me through. He put it to