But Holden did not appear.  Was it possible he could have obtained information of the threatened danger, and was keeping himself concealed?  At the thought, Basset stood two inches higher; his courage mounted rapidly, and the terrible pirate dwindled into a submissive culprit.

Ketchum, meanwhile, began to be importunate.  He had become impatient at waiting, and demanded of the constable the reason of the delay.  The latter, unwilling to confess the true cause, put him off with such excuses as his ingenuity suggested, until he had exhausted his stock, and was obliged to apply himself to the discharge of his duty.  He, therefore, made up his mind to face the danger, but not to monopolize the glory of the achievement.  He dared not go alone, and accordingly looked round for somebody to assist him in the perilous enterprise.  Now, the veteran Primus, by virtue of his exploits in the Revolutionary War, and the loss of one of his legs on the field of battle, enjoyed a high reputation for bravery.  Backed by the old warrior, or rather led by him, for Basset meant to yield him the post of honor, the constable thought he should stand a much greater chance of success.  He determined, therefore, to apply to Primus, secure his services, and take counsel with him on the best mode to apprehend Holden.  With this view, he betook himself to the bachelor quarters of the black—­a hovel on the outskirts of the village, where we find him at this present moment.

“I hab some interjection, Missa Basset,” said Primus, evidently in reply to a proposition of the constable.  “Suppose you come to ketch me, how I like to hab somebody help you?”

“No danger of that, Prime,” said Basset; “you are too clever a fellow for me to go with a warrant after; and if it was your case, I should more likely give you a squint of what was going on, than be plotting how to git hold on ye.  You don’t know your friends, Prime.”

“Dey say ’tis a wise child dat know his own fader,” answered Primus.  “Now, if a child dat see his fader ebery day, and been brung up in de same house, not know him, how is it possible dat I know you, Missa Basset, who neber before do me de honor ob a visit?”

“Why,” said the constable, who hardly knew what reply to make, “you never come to see me, Prime.”

“Dat is de trute,” said Primus, “and dat look as do you and me is no great friends, arter all.  But,” added he, observing the other’s embarrassment, “dat is needer here nor dere.  I always suspect you bery much, sar, and is willing to do anything to obleege you.  Tell us, now, ’xactly, what you want me to do.”

“Why, you see, I want somebody to go along with me to be there when I take him, that’s all.  The island’s three or four miles off, and I shall want you to help row the boat.”

“O, if dat is all, I is ’greeable,” exclaimed Primus.  “When you tink of going, Missa Basset?”

“I ain’t just made up my mind on that pint, and that’s one thing I want to talk about.  When will he be most likely to be at home?  What do you think?  Had we better go in the morning, or wait till afternoon.”