at point there can be no
difficulty between me and you. The risk of the schooner must be mine of
course; but I rely on you to take as good care of her as a man can. Go
then, direct, to that point, and fill up the schooner. But, Gar'ner, my
business doesn't end with this! As soon as the schooner is full, you will
come to the southward, and get her clear of everything like ice as fast as
possible."

"That I should be very likely to do, deacon, though you had said nothing
on the subject."

"Yes, by all accounts them are stormy seas, and the sooner a body is shut
of them the better. And now, Gar'ner, I must swear you again. I have
another secret to tell you, and an oath must go with each. Kiss this
sacred volume once more, and swear to me never to reveal to another that
which I am about to reveal to you, unless it may be in a court of law, and
at the command of justice, so help you God."

"What, a second oath, deacon!--You are as bad as the custom-houses, which
take you on all tacks, and don't believe you when you've done. Surely, I'm
sworn in already."

"Kiss the book, and swear to what I have put to you," said the deacon,
sternly, "or never go to sea in a craft of mine. Never to reveal what I
shall now tell you, unless compelled by justice, so help you God!"

Thus cornered, Roswell Gardiner hesitated no longer, but swore as
required, kissing the book gravely and reverently. This was the young
man's first command, and he was not going to lose it on account of so
small a matter as swearing to keep his owner's secrets. Having obtained
the pledge, the deacon now produced the second chart, which was made to
take the place of the other on the bed.

"There!" he exclaimed, in a sort of triumph--"that is the real object of
your voyage!"

"That key! Why, deacon, that is in north latitude -- deg. --", and you make a
crooked road of it truly, when you tell me to go as far south as -- deg. --",
In order to reach it."

"It is well to have two strings to a body's bow. When you hear what you
are to bring from that key, you will understand why I send you south,
before you are to come here to top off your cargo."

"It must be with turtle, then," said Roswell Gardiner, laughing. "Nothing
grows on these keys but a few stunted shrubs, and nothing is ever to be
found on them but turtle. Once in a while a fellow may pick up a few
turtle, if he happen to hit the right key."

"Gar'ner," rejoined the deacon, still more solemnly--"that