ntioned his objections to the freight.

"Who told you that?" asked the little owner, somewhat excited.

"Mr. Peterson. We parted from him only a few minutes ago."

"The scoundrel! the mean, dirty scoundrel!" said Gregg, stamping on the
floor. "Why, Sir, Mr. Lyndsay, his own ship carries the same freight.
What did he say about that?"

"He told me yesterday, she took out a general cargo----"

"Of brandy and gunpowder. Both vessels are employed by the same house,
and take out the same freight. You must, however, please yourself, Mr.
Lyndsay. The _Flora_ has a great number of passengers of the lowest
cast,--is old and crank; with the most vicious, morose captain that
sails from this port. I know him only too well. He made two voyages for
me; and the letters I received, complaining of his brutal conduct to
some of his passengers, I can show you at my office."

"You have said enough, Mr. Gregg, to deter me from taking my wife and
child in the _Flora_. The deceitful conduct of Mr. Peterson alone would
have determined me not to contract with him. And now, what will you take
us for? Our party consists of my wife and infant, a lad of thirteen
years who accompanies us, a servant-girl, and myself."

Mr. Gregg considered for some minutes. "Well," he said, "there is a
large party of you; but I will give your wife, child, and self, a cabin
passage, finding you in the same fare as the captain, and the lad and
servant a second cabin passage, but the privilege of the cabin-table,
for thirty pounds. Is that too much?"

"It is very liberal indeed. Peterson asked fifty."

"It is reasonable; but as you have to wait a fortnight longer in order
to sail with me, I have taken that into account. Is it a bargain?"

They struck hands; and Mr. Gregg, after drawing up an agreement, which
Lyndsay signed, turned to Mrs. Lyndsay, and pressingly invited the whole
party to spend the following afternoon with them in a friendly way.

"My wife is a homely little body," he said; "but she will do her best to
make you comfortable, and will give you, at any rate, a hearty Scotch
welcome."

"Now, Flora, are you not delighted in having it your own way?" said
Lyndsay, after Mr. Gregg left them. "But let me assure you, my dear
wife, you owe it entirely to the mean conduct of Mr. Peterson. I tell
you frankly, that I would not have yielded my better judgment to a mere
prejudice, even to please you."

"You are determined, John, that I shall never fulfil t