way from home," interrupted the stranger.

"Then you are Tite--the old man's son," resumed the boatman, "well,
well!" Turning to him who pulled the bow-oar: "Stop pullin' a bit, Tom,"
said he, "stop pullin'."

The man now rested his oar, and rising from his seat, extended his hand
to the stranger, saying: "There's a hard old honest hand that welcomes
you safe back. John Flint is my name--called old Jack Flint generally."
And he shook Tite's hand again and again. "A heap o' people round here
reckoned how you was dead--they did. I can't tell you how glad I am to
see you, my boy. Its fifteen years since you and me sailed comrades on
the sloop. Bin all round the world an' aint above shakin' the hand of an
old fellow like me. That's what I like." Again and again the old boatman
shook Tite's hand, and gave expression to such sentiments of joy as
showed how true and honest was his heart.

"Yes, this is me, Jack, and I am as glad to see you as you are to see
me. But I wanted to get across without being recognized."

[Illustration: "Wouldn't take it amiss, would you," said he, "if a man
like me was to ask what your name was?" Page 266.]

The old boatman felt in his pocket, and drawing forth the two Spanish
dollars, insisted on returning them. "Them goes back into your pocket,"
he said, shaking his head, "Never shall be said Jack Flint charged an
old comrade a sixpence for settin' him across stream."

"Keep it, keep it, Jack. I have enough for both of us," replied Tite,
motioning his hand for the boatman to return the money to his pocket.

"Well, if you insist--an' I have to accept it, you see, it'll be out of
respect and to please you." And he looked at the money doubtingly, shook
his head, and reluctantly returned it to his pocket.

The man now resumed his oar, and they proceeded on with increased speed.
In less than half an hour from that time, they had landed at Nyack, and
proceeding up the road had reached Bright's Inn, the two boatmen
carrying the valise. Here they came to a halt, the men setting the
valise down, while Tite seemed in doubt what to do next. Bewildered with
the position he found himself in, hesitating and nervous, almost
overcome by anxiety, his throbbing heart beat quicker and quicker the
nearer he reached his home. But there was now a more violent struggle
going on in his feelings. It was a struggle to decide between love and
duty. Now he looked up the road in the direction of his home, and
advanced