e asked if it might not be late
afternoon instead, because he had cargo from the Indies for sale, and in
the morning certain merchants were to visit his vessel. Truth to tell he
was playing a deep game. He wanted to learn the governor's plans for the
next afternoon and evening, and thought to do so by proposing this same
change. He did not reckon foolishly. The governor gave him to understand
that there would be feasting next day: first, because it was the
birthday of the Duke of York; secondly, because it was the anniversary
of the capture from the Dutch; and, last of all, because there were
Indian chiefs to come from Albany to see New York and himself for the
first time. The official celebration would begin in the afternoon
and last till sundown, so that all the governor's time must be fully
occupied. But Bucklaw said, with great candour, that unfortunately he
had to sail for Boston within thirty-six hours, to keep engagements with
divers assignees for whom he had special cargo. If his excellency, he
said, would come out to his ship the next evening when the shows were
done, he would be proud to have him see his racketing little craft; and
it could then be judged if, with furbishing and armaments, she could by
any means be used for the expedition. Nicholls consented, and asked the
king's officers if they would accompany him. This they were exceedingly
glad to do: so that the honest shipman's good nature and politeness were
vastly increased, and he waved his hook in so funny and so boyish a way
it set them all a-laughing.

So it was arranged forthwith that he should be at a quiet point on the
shore at a certain hour to row the governor and his friends to the Nell
Gwynn. And, this done, he was bade to go to the dining-room and refresh
himself.

He obeyed with cheerfulness, and was taken in charge by Morris, who,
having passed on Iberville and Gering to the drawing-room, was once more
at his post, taciturn as ever. The governor and his friends had gone
straight to the drawing-room, so that Morris and he were alone. Wine was
set before the sailor and he took off a glass with gusto, his eye cocked
humorously towards his host. "No worse fate for a sinner," quoth he;
"none better for a saint."

Morris's temper was not amiable. He did not like the rascal. "Ay," said
he, "but many's the sinner has wished yon wish, and footed it from the
stocks to the gallows."

Bucklaw laughed up at him. It was not a pretty laugh, and his