nd it is too bad. I
often think of the time we were kids together. We had our little scraps,
made up, and were ready to fight for each other."

The Captain could recall no occasion when he had fought for Jim Fox.

"How long ago that all seems! Yet how--er--happy were those days. No
cares. No sorrows. No troubles. No misunderstandings. Excuse me, Josiah.
I don't know why it is that I hark back like this when we get together.
But it does me a world of good."

"Maybe you've got another fish to fry," suggested the Captain, wholly
untouched by the Elder's memory picture. "That was the way you done when
you wanted us boys to do something for you, and you ain't got over it
with age."

"I was quite a diplomat in those days, wasn't I? But we can't bring them
back. No, sir, we can't. They are--er--gone forever."

"I ain't sartin I want to fetch 'em back. Leastwise, that wa'n't my
purpose in coming here to-night. I come over to see you about that
mortgage you slipped over on me."

"Mortgage?"

"Yes, mortgage."

"Oh! You refer to that little loan I made you some time ago? That
was--er--real humor calling it a mortgage."

"It may be funny to you, but it ain't to me."

"I hope that little matter isn't bothering you."

"It ain't, but a feller from the city is. He told me you was intending
to take my place."

"I'm sorry he told you that. I do not know what I should do with it if I
had it."

"I don't know what I'd do without it, Jim."

"I think it can be arranged without difficulty. It is such a small
matter."

"It may look small to you, but it looks a heap sight different to me."

"I know, Josiah. It is very opportune that you have come to me to-night.
Not more than an hour ago I was thinking of you, and wishing I
might--er--see you. I have been thinking, too, of others, some who stood
by me in time of peril and poverty. I feel greatly indebted to them, and
since they were members of your family, I must now show my appreciation
for their kindness."

"I cal'late you're referring to them you served a dirty trick over in
Australia."

"Why, Josiah! I have told you a hundred times that I was never in
Australia," declared the other, paling slightly.

"That's so, you have, Jim. Excuse me."

"As I was saying," he continued, showing great relief, "I feel indebted
to them, and I want to pay back----"

"Look here, Jim, you needn't offer none of your blood money. It don't
look good to me."

It was a bold stroke, but