eacon had been at so much pains to erase the sealing-islands, that the
deceased mariner had laid down with so great precision and care. It was
evident that the Martha's Vineyard-man was looking for something that he
could not find, and that he felt disappointment. Instead of looking at the
chart, indeed, he may be said to have been peering at it, in all its holes
and crannies, of which there were not a few, in consequence of the torn
condition of the paper. Several minutes elapsed ere the investigation
terminated, the stranger seeming, all that time, to feel no interest in
the remainder of his relation's wardrobe.

"This is an old chart, and of the date of 1802," observed Daggett, raising
himself erect, as a man who has long been bent takes the creaks out of his
back. "So old a chart as to be of little use now-a-day. Our sealers have
gone over so much of the ground to the southward of the two capes, as to
be able to do much better than this now."

"Your uncle had the appearance of an old-fashioned sailor," coldly
observed the deacon; "and it may be that he most liked old-fashioned
charts."

"If such was the case he must have pretty well forgotten his Vineyard
schooling. There is not a woman there who doesn't know that the latest
chart is commonly the best. I own I'm disapp'inted somewhat; for the
master of the sloop gave me to understand he had heard from the master of
the brig, that some valuable information was to be found on the old
gentleman's charts."

The deacon started, as here was an indication that the deceased had talked
of his knowledge to others, as well as to himself! It was so natural for a
man like Daggett to boast of what his charts were worth, that he saw the
extreme probability that a difficulty might arise from this source. It was
his cue, however, to remain silent, and let the truth develop itself in
due course. His attention was not likely to be drawn aside by the shirts
and old clothes, for the stranger began a second time to examine the
chart, and what was more, in the high latitudes at no great distance from
the very spot where the sealing-islands had been placed, and from which
they had been so carefully erased.

"It is unaccountable that a man should wear out a chart like this, and
leave so few notes on it!" said the Vineyard-man, much as one complains of
a delinquency. "Here is white water noted in the middle of the ocean,
where I dare say no other white water was seen but that which is ma