Probably there were no two persons then living whom Randall at that moment cared less about seeing than Bill Sturdy and our hero. Though astonished beyond expression to see them there, his position was too critical to allow him to waste time in giving expression to his surprise.

[284]

"Let me go, you scoundrel!" he exclaimed, making a desperate effort to elude Bill's grasp.

He might as well have striven to tear himself from the grasp of a lion.

"Not so fast, Mr. Randall," said Bill Sturdy.

"You mutinous scoundrel!" hissed the mate.

"You forget," said his captor, coolly, "that we are not now on the quarter-deck. Here I am your equal, Mr. Randall, and perhaps you may find me a little ahead."

"Let me go, if you know what is best for yourself," ejaculated Randall, almost foaming at the mouth.

"If you know what is best for yourself," said Bill composedly, "I would advise you to be quiet."

"And now," he continued, tightening his grasp a little, "just let me know what mischief you have been up to?"

"I am not responsible to you," said Randall haughtily.

"Responsible or not, you must give an account of yourself."

"If you will let me go, I will make it worth your while."

"Do you think I am mean enough to accept[285] a bribe?" exclaimed Sturdy, with honest indignation. "Let me know what you have been doing."

"This old man!" said Randall, curbing his pride, "foolishly thought I meant to rob him, and shrieked for assistance."

"Is that all?" asked Bill, keenly glancing at the box of gold. "Things look as if you were going to rob him in reality."

"I am not in the habit of thieving," said Randall, haughtily.

At this moment the miser, who had been insensible, began to show signs of returning consciousness.

"Go and get some water, Charlie," said Bill. "The old man looks as if he might come to with a little help."

There was a pail half full of water standing near by. Charlie sprinkled Peter's face, and a moment after he gasped and opened his eyes. He cast a frightened glance from face to face till his eyes rested on Randall, when he shuddered, and cried feebly, "Take him away, take him away! He will rob me."

"Not while I am here to prevent him," returned Bill, in a tone of assurance.

"You are friends, then?" said the miser, anxiously.

[286]

"Of course we are. Did this man attempt to rob you?"

"Take care not to make any false accusations, old man," said Randall, menacingly.

"Speak the truth without fear," said Bill Sturdy; "I'll bear you out in it. He can't do you any harm."

"He demanded a thousand dollars from me," said the old man, "and when I would not give it to him he was going to help himself."

"What do you say to that, Mr. Randall?" asked Sturdy.

"I say this," said the mate, turning a malignant glance upon the miser, "that it was a regular bargain—a matter of business. This man owed me the money—he knows best what for, and refused to pay it."

"I did not," said Peter, hastily, "he had already been paid in full."

"Take care, Peter, or I may tell what it was for."

"I defy you," said the miser in a quavering tone of defiance. "You are a bad man."

"Perhaps you don't know who this boy is?" said Randall.

"Who is he?" asked Peter, doubtfully.

"He is one who has reason to consider you[287] his enemy," said Randall, "even more than myself."

At this unexpected statement Bill Sturdy and Charlie looked at each other in surprise.

"Do you know this old man, then, Charlie?" asked Sturdy, at length.

"Yes," said our hero; "it is Mr. Manson, of whom my mother used to hire a room."

"The landlord?"

"Yes."

"And what harm has he ever done to you?"

"I don't know," said Charlie, shaking his head, "unless," and an anxious look came over his face, "he has distressed her for rent since I have been gone."

"Is that so?" demanded the sailor, sternly.

"No, no!" said Peter Manson, hastily. "She left my tenement a good many months ago."

"And where is she now?" asked Charlie, eagerly—for, having just landed, he knew nothing of his mother's whereabouts.

"Then you have not seen her?" asked Randall, with the sudden thought that he might make better terms for himself by selling his knowledge on the subject.

"No," said Charlie. "Is she well? Tell me, I entreat you, if you know."

[288]

"I do know," said Randall, composedly, "both where she is and how she has fared."

"Tell me quick."
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