You see it's all in a fog; I can't make out the land
nowhere, and I'm afraid I shall be on the rocks afore I knows it. You
see, cap'n, I never wer' in such a thick mist since I first went to sea.
No offense to you, cap'n!"
"Oh, none in the world! No skillful pilot will risk his vessel in a fog.
But I have a certain golden telescope of magic powers. It enables you to
see clearly through the thickest mist, the darkest night that ever fell.
I will give it to you. In other words, I promised you five hundred
dollars for this job. Come, accomplish it to-night, and you shall have a
thousand. Is the mist lifting?"
"I think it is, cap'n! I begin to see land."
"Very well! now, is your memory as good as your sight? Do you recollect
the plan?"
"Ay, ay, sir."
"Just let me hear you go over it."
"I'm to bring the vessel round, and lay to about a quarter of a mile o'
the coast. At dusk I'm to put off in a skiff and row to Pine Bluff, and
lay under its shadow till I hear your signal. Then I'm to put to shore
and take in the--the--"
"The cargo."
"Ay, ay, sir, the cargo."
Leaving the two conspirators to improve and perfect their plot, we must
return to the breakfast parlor at Luckenough. The family were assembled
around the table.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235