reign
will kill him with a vault. Arrange you the trading, and I will be the
doctor--a German; I can do the German."

"And I can do the trading," the American replied, without any rash
self-confidence; "any fool can sell good stuff; but it requireth a good
man to sell bad goods."

The gun-brig bore down on them at a great pace, feeling happy certitude
that she had got a prize--not a very big one, but still worth catching.
She saw that the frigate had fired a shot, and believed that it was done
to call her own attention to a matter below that of the frigate. On
she came, heeling to the lively wind, very beautiful in the moonlight,
tossing the dark sea in white showers, and with all her taut canvas
arched and gleaming, hovered with the shades of one another.

"Heave to, or we sink you!" cried a mighty voice through a speaking
trumpet, as she luffed a little, bringing her port broadside to bear;
and the schooner, which had hoisted British colours, obeyed the command
immediately. In a very few seconds a boat was manned, and dancing on
the hillocks of the sea; and soon, with some danger and much care, the
visitors stood upon the London Trader's deck, and Sam Polwhele came to
meet them.

"We have no wish to put you to any trouble," said the officer in
command, very quietly, "if you can show that you are what you profess to
be. You sail under British colours; and the name on your stern is London
Trader. We will soon dismiss you, if you prove that. But appearances are
strongly against you. What has brought you here? And why did you run
the risk of being fired at, instead of submitting to his Majesty's ship
Minerva?"

"Because she haven't got any ready money, skipper, and we don't like
three months' bills," said the tall Bostonian, looking loftily at the
British officer. "Such things is nothing but piracy, and we had better
be shot at than lose such goods as we carry fresh shipped, and in prime
condition. Come and see them, all with Cheeseman's brand, the celebrated
Cheeseman of Springhaven--name guarantees the quality. But one thing,
mind you--no use to hanker after them unless you come provided with the
ready."

"We don't want your goods; we want you," answered Scudamore, now first
luff of the brig of war Delia, and staring a little with his mild blue
eyes at this man's effrontery. "That is to say, our duty is to know all
about you. Produce your papers. Prove where you cleared from last, and
what you are doing here, so