k did not believe this statement, but he took no notice of it.

"You haven't any children, and if you should die, half of your money
would go to Levi, and half to your wife. If you should die, Levi would
make ten or fifteen thousand dollars by it. Don't you see now what he
gives you chickens and turkeys for? He means to keep things smooth till
you step out. If you shouldn't come back, when you go out after
dog-fish to-morrow morning, Levi wouldn't feel half so bad about it as
I should."

This was a disagreeable topic to the miser, and he cut it short; but
the idea that Levi was ready to have him die took fast hold of his
shattered mind. Dock Vincent had produced the impression he desired; he
had added fresh fuel to the flame of the old man's hatred; and he was
content to let the subject drop for the present.

Dock, finding himself a person of no consequence at the Cape, had
already announced his intention to emigrate to Australia with his
family; and he appeared to be waiting only to wreak his vengeance upon
Levi Fairfield, who had defeated his plan to swindle Mr. Watson out of
twenty thousand dollars. The young man had exposed and ruined him, in
his estimation--not the crime; and he could not leave the country till
he had "paid him off," though he was not so particular about his honest
debts.

The next morning Dock went down to the landing-place. When he reached
the chasm, he saw Levi coming across the beach. His eyes glowed with
hatred, as they always did when he looked upon the author of his
misfortunes, the one whose testimony had sent him to the state prison.
He did not care to meet him, and it was evident that Levi was coming
for his boat. Stooping down, he adjusted the plank over the chasm in
such a way that his victim would be pitched down upon the sharp rocks
beneath, the instant he stepped upon it. The fall would not kill
him--it would only bruise and maim him. Levi was beneath the rocky
precipice, and could not see him.

There was a smile on the villain's countenance as he retreated to a
place of concealment near the spot, to wait for the disaster that
should lay his victim upon the bed of pain and suffering.

He waited ten minutes for the crash of the falling plank; but it did
not come. Rising from his seat, he moved to a position where, looking
through the chasm, he saw The Starry Flag standing over towards Mr.
Watson's house. Levi had walked on the shelving rocks, and reached the
landing without cro