This was a view of things that did not please the constable at all, and the mirth of the negro appealed excessively ill-timed.  He, therefore, said: 

“Don’t talk so, Prime; it’s dreadful to hear you.  Well, if you’re afraid, say so, and done with—­”

“Me, ’fraid,” exclaimed Primus, “me dat is as ’customed to de bullets as de roof to de rain!  No, sar, you is better ’quainted wid de genlmen dat is ’fraid dan dis child.”

“Don’t git mad though,” said Basset, in whose mind one apprehension drove out another, and who began to fear he might lose altogether his new ally.  “Everybody knows you’re as brave as Julius Caesar, Prime.”

“Please, sar, not to repair me to no Caesar,” exclaimed the indignant General.  “De Caesars ob my ’qaintance was nebber no great shakes.  I hab a better name dan dat.  My name is Primus—­dat mean, in Latin, fust—­so I hear genlmn say, and Ransome, and de meaning ob dat is, dat in de glorious Resolution I run some arter de British (dough de foolish doctor abuse me and say dey give me de name ’cause I run away), and putting bote togedder dey makes a name any genlmn may be proud ob.  But, Missa Basset, what you going to gib me for dis job?”

“Why, a quarter’ll be good wages, I guess.”

“A quarter ob a dollar!  Do you s’pose I dispose myself to ketch cold on de ribber, and die afore my time, and arter dat to be shoot at, like a duck, for a quarter?  I don’t ’list on no such tarms.”

“We’ll say a half.  I’m inclined to be liberal, but I shall expect you to be lively, Prime.”

“Dat is too little;” grumbled Primus.  “And who else you got to help you?”

“Why, hain’t two enough?  I might as well give up the job at once, and done with it, if I’m to pay out all the fees.”

“One more will make all sure,” said Primus, who, prudent general that he was, thought no odds could be too great against an enemy.  “S’pose I speak to Missa Gladding to insist?”

“Tom Gladding be hung.  I won’t give him a cent.”

“But,” said Primus, who seemed determined to have his own way in everything, “you no interjection, I guess, if it don’t cost you noting.”

“No,” replied Basset, who was glad enough of another auxiliary, provided his own packet was not affected.  “But, mind ye, I don’t pay him a red cent.”

“I pay him myself, out ob my own pass.  De danger won’t be so much, and de work will be done up right, sartin.  So, atween genlmn, de business is settle.”

They parted with the understanding that the General was to see Gladding and induce him to take part in the enterprise, and that the three would meet at a certain place in the evening, the constable being careful to repeat that he couldn’t afford more than fifty cents for any assistance that might be rendered.  Primus accordingly called upon Gladding, and the arrangement must have been satisfactory, for the three were all at the place of rendezvous at the appointed hour.