ortune of my whole life. That's what I call
hard,--very hard."

"I don't perceive that it's very complimentary to myself, either," said
Agincourt, struggling to keep down a laugh. But O'Shea was far too
full of his own cares to have any thought for another's, and he went on
muttering below his breath about national injustice and Saxon jealousy.

"You 'll accept this, then? Shall I say so?"

"I believe you will! I'd like to see myself refuse a thousand a-year and
pickings."

"I suspect I know what you have in your mind, too. I 'll wager a pony
that I guess it. You 're planning to marry that pretty widow, and carry
her out with you."

O'Shea grew crimson over face and forehead, and stared at the other
almost defiantly, without speaking.

"Ain't I right?" asked Agincourt, somewhat disconcerted by the look that
was bent upon him.

"You are not right; you were never more wrong in your life."

"May be so; but you 'll find it a hard task to persuade me so."

"I don't want to persuade you of anything; but this I know, that you 've
started a subject there that I won't talk on with you or any one else.
Do you mind me now? I 'm willing enough to owe you the berth you offered
me, but not upon conditions; do you perceive--no conditions."

This was not a very intelligible speech, but Agincourt could detect the
drift of the speaker, and caught him cordially by the hand, and said,
"If I ever utter a word that offends you, I pledge my honor it will be
through inadvertence, and not intention."

"That will do. I 'm your debtor, now, and without misgivings. I want to
see young Heathcote as soon as I can. Would I find him at home now?"

"I 'll get him over here to dine with us. We 'll have a jolly evening
together, and drink a boundless success to the Boundary Commissioner. If
I don't mistake, too, there 's another good fellow here would like to be
one of us."

"Another! who can he be?"

"Here he comes to answer for himself." And, as he spoke, Quackinboss
lounged into the room, with his hands deep in his trousers-pockets, and
his hat on his head.

"Well, sir, I hope I see you in good health," said he to Agincourt.
"You've grown a bit since we met last, and you ain't so washy-lookin' as
you used to be."

"Thanks. I 'm all right in health, and very glad to see you, besides. Is
not my friend here an old acquaintance of yours,--the O'Shea?"

"The O'Shea," said Quackinboss, slowly, laying great stress upon the
definite arti