“‘I guess as how she does,’ replied the settler, with an eagerness that betrayed his conviction that the bait had taken; ’but Mr. Grantham,’—­and I could detect a lurking sneer, ’I expect at least that when you have lick’d the prize you will make my loyalty stand a little higher than it seems to be at this moment, for I guess, puttin’ the dollars out of the question, it’s a right loyal act I am guilty of now.’

“’You may rely upon it, Desborough, you shall have all the credit you deserve for your conduct on the occasion—­ that it shall be faithfully reported on my return, you may take for granted.’  Here I summoned all hands up to weigh anchor and make sail for Turkey Island.  ’Now then, Desborough, unless you wish to be a sharer in our enterprize, the sooner you leave us the better, for we shall be off immediately.’

“’In obedience to my order, all hands were speedily upon deck, and busied in earnest preparation.  In pleasing assurance that I was as completely his dupe as could be desired, the villain had now the audacity to demand from me a written promise that, in consideration of the information given, five hundred dollars should be paid to him on the disposal of the prize.  This demand (aware as he was—­or rather as he purposed—­that I was to play the part of the captured instead of that of the captor), was intended to lull me into even greater reliance on his veracity.  I had difficulty in restraining my indignation, for I felt that the fellow was laughing at me in his sleeve; however the reflection that, in less than twenty-four hours, the tables would be turned upon him, operated as a check upon my feelings, and I said with a hurried voice and air: 

“’Impossible, Desborough, I have no time now to give the paper, for as you perceive we are getting under way—­I however, repeat to you my promise, that if your claims are not attended to elsewhere, you shall have my share of the profits, if I take this prize within the next eight and forty hours within the boundary of Turkey Island—­Will that content you?’

“‘I expect as how it must,’ returned the secretly delighted, yet seemingly disappointed settler, as he now prepared to recross the gun-wale into his canoe; ’but I guess, Mr. Grantham, you might at least advance a fellor a little money out of hand, on the strength of the prize.  Jist say twenty dollars.’

“’No, Desborough, not one.  ’When the Turkey Island prize is mine, then if the Government refuse to confirm your claims, we will share equally; but, as I said before, I must first capture her, before I consent to part with a shilling.’

“‘Well then, I guess I must wait,’ and the scoundrel confidently believing that he had gulled me to his heart’s content, stepped heavily into his canoe, which he directed along the lake shore, while we with filling sails, glided up the channel and speedily lost him from our view.’

“A perfect adventure upon my word,” interrupted De Courcy.