e
pulse bet like all possessed. You see, I've lived a life of adventoor,
in spite of my meek and quiet natoor, an hev dabbled at odd times in
the smugglin business. But they don't catch me this time--I've retired
from that thar, an the Antelope lets the revenoo rest in peace."

The boat drew nearer and nearer, and the officer at the stern looked
scrutinizingly at the Antelope. There was an air of perplexity about
his face, which was very visible to those on board, and the perplexity
deepened and intensified as his eyes rested on the flag of the "B. O.
W. C."

"Leave him to me," said Captain Corbet. "Leave that thar young man to
me. I enjy havin to do with a revenoo officer jest now; so don't go an
put in your oars, but jest leave him to me."

"All right, captain; we won't say a word," said Bruce. "We'll go on
with our fishing quietly. Come, boys--look sharp, and down with your
lines."

The interest which they had felt in these new proceedings had caused
the boys to pull up their hooks; but now, at Bruce's word, they put
them in the water once more, and resumed their fishing, only casting
sidelong glances at the approaching boat.

In a few minutes the boat was alongside, and the officer leaped on
board. He looked all around, at the fish lying about the deck, at the
boys engaged in fishing, at Captain Corbet, at Solomon, at the
mysterious flag aloft, and finally at the boys. These all took no
notice of him, but appeared to be intent on their task.

"What schooner is this?" he asked, abruptly.

"The schooner Antelope, Corbet master," replied the captain.

"Are you the master?"

"I am."

"Where do you belong?"

"Grand Pre."

"Grand Pre?

"Yes."

"Hm," he replied, with a stare around--"Grand Pre--ah---hm."

"Yes, jest so."

"What's that?"

"I briefly remarked that it was jest so."

"What's the reason you didn't lie to, when you were hailed?"

"Lay to?"

"Yes."

"Couldn't do it."

"What do you mean by that?" asked the officer, who was rather ireful,
and somewhat insulting in his manner.

"Wal bein as I was anchored here hard an fast, I don't exactly see how
I could manage to go through that thar manoeuvre, unless you'd kindly
lend me the loan of your steam ingine to do it on."

"Look here, old man; you'd better look out."

"Wal, I dew try to keep a good lookout. How much'll you take for the
loan o' that spy-glass o' yourn?"

"Let me see your papers."

"Papers?"

"Yes, your p