Charlie Codman's Cruise

n saw before him a stout man of forty-five, with

use a common phrase, he "feared neither man nor devil," a glanc

ent. He might be a sailor,—there was an indefinable something about him,—a certain air of the sea, that ju

wildly from the sudden gust of wind which rushed in at the door just open

are you going to stand staring at me? It makes me feel bas

a little increased by this speech, making, at

2

somewhere, where it isn't quite so public as at th

ou," said the m

. "Come, push ahead. Where do you live? Up stairs, or down st

epped in front, as if to intercept him, and said, hurriedl

in spite of the old man's feeble opposition. "I have already

ejaculated, but was checked

[28] may be tempted to verify your good opinion by trying my hand at a little robbery.

re was something in this last speech, rough and imperative as it was, that gave him a little feeling of

r useless, he shuffled up stairs, in obedience to the stranger's command, yet not without c

is, smiled, as if amused a

Peter opened the door into the ap

glance about the room, seated himself[29] with som

ng candle upon the mantel

any human being, save Peter himself, had been seated in that room. The old man could not help fee

n at a glance all the appointments of the room, "th

to live very plain,—very plain

ust afford to have a better fire while

sticks from the hearth, deposited them in the st

3

put so much on; it's wasteful, and I

ly. "At any rate, it's better to be comfor

st contemplated the sudden movement on the part of his visitor, and the awful consumption of wood which he knew must ensue, nevertheless appeared to enjoy the i

you'd like it after it was fairly done. Isn

uch," groaned Peter, th

as I am inclined to believe, there's no[31] on

th hands in earnest deprecation, "when I can hardly get enough together to ke

e sure. But people do say, Peter, that you have a pow

suspicion, sank back into his seat, saying, uneasily, "I only wish it were true. P

body that would show you where all these treasur

ite how to understand his[32] companion, whose tone

arch the house, if I will promise

ind any," answered

e flooring, just here for instance, don't you think I might possi

ere he was seated there was a box of gold coins. Accordingly this remark, which seemed to

here. If that is all you have got to say, go away and leav

If I had not,[33] I should not have sought you to-night. What I have to

tion arrested, in spite of his fea

it may be only fancy. I won't say anything about that

tarted, turned as pale as his ghastly complexion permitted, fixed an anxious glance upon the stranger, who

you were never there, no matter. Only it is there that

lf in business in the city. He had married before he went there, and had a daughter about sixteen years of age. Well, his business flou

ternally agitated. A keen glance satisfied his visitor of

r which the merchant was unprepared. On going to his counting-room one morning, he discovered that his book-keeper had

me?" demanded Peter,

y and by," said th

little more[35] wood into the st

some in,"

as large round as his wrist, and

owing it, to Peter's dismay, with half a dozen larg