ing, "you vas in der plackpird drade yourselves von
dime."

"So I was, Peter," said Blount quietly, "but _we_ did the thing
honestly, fairly and squarely. I, and those with me, when I was in the
labour trade, never stole a nigger, nor killed one. This fellow Bilker
was a disgrace to every white man in the trade. He is a notorious,
cold-blooded murderer."

The conversation fell a bit flat after this, for Mr. Burrowes and Mr.
Schwartzkoff began to feel uncomfortable. Six or seven years before,
although then unknown to each other and living on different islands,
they each had had business relations with Captain Bilker in the matter
of supplying him with "cargo" during his cruises for "blackbirds,"
and each of them had so carried on the trade that both were ultimately
compelled to leave the scene of their operations with great haste, and
take up their residence elsewhere, particularly as the commander of the
cruiser which arrested Captain Bilker expressed a strong desire to make
their acquaintance and let them keep him company to the gallows.

"Wal," resumed the American, "I guess every man hez got his own opinions
on such things. I hev mine---- Why, here's Mr. de Vere. Walk right in,
sir, an' set down; and Mister Deighton, too. Howdy do, parson? I'm real
glad to see you."

The moment the visitors entered Blount rose to go, but the missionary,
with good-natured, blundering persistency, pressed him back, holding his
hand the while.

"Mr. de Vere, this is Mr. Blount, a most excellent man, I do assure
you."

"How do you do?" said Blount, taking the smiling Englishman's hand in
his, but quickly dropping it. There was something in De Vere's set smile
and cold, watery-blue eyes that he positively resented, although he knew
not why.

However, as the somewhat dull-minded Deighton seemed very anxious
for him to stay and engage in "doing the polite" to his guest, Blount
resumed his seat, but did so with restraint and impatience showing
strongly in his sun-burnt, resolute face. For some ten minutes or so
he remained, speaking only when he was spoken to; and then he rose,
and nodding a cool "good-day" to the handsome Mr. de Vere and the two
traders, he strode to the door and walked out.

Before he was half-way from Burrowes' house to the mission station, he
was overtaken by the Rev. Mr. Deighton.

"Mr. de Vere has gone on board again," he said in his slow, solemn way,
"gone on board to get me some English papers. A most est