ou."

"---- the cap'n!"

"Beware what you say! that is treason!"

"Treason be it then! When Bill Mitchel says he'll do a thing he does it,
and all the Leagues and captains in or out of h----l can't stop him!"

"Come, come! be cool and don't make a fool of yourself; it can all be done
without so much bluster."

But, as we are not so deeply interested in the proceedings of these fellows
as in some other of our characters, we will pass from them and their
villainous plot, whatever it may be, and look after Duffel and the captain.

These two worthies had drawn aside, and were deeply absorbed in
confidential intercourse. As their conversation is of considerable
interest, we give a part of it:

"Well, Duffel, how is that affair with Miss Mandeville prospering?"

"Not so well as I could wish. The truth is I shall have a pretty hard time,
if my suit wins at all."

"Indeed! I am sorry for that; for I was strongly in hopes of receiving a
little assistance from you in the way of cash. I have been at great expense
the past few months, and need a little aid just now, to finish the
necessary fixtures for our south-western branch. You know it takes a mine
to fit up a cave such as that was and is to be."

"I am really sorry that things have turned out as they have. I expected,
when I mentioned this matter before, that ere this time I should have
consummated the affair; but I am far less sanguine of success now than at
any previous time. Mr. Mandeville favors my suit, but the daughter has
taken a dislike to me and--"

"Ho, ho! I thought you were always victorious with the women."

"So I have been until now, and I am by no means vanquished yet, in this
instance; but I have a rival in the way, one, too, that had possession of
the citadel of her heart, ere I became a candidate for her hand; that makes
a great difference, you know; then, to make the matter worse, I knew
nothing about the state of the case until I had spent a length of time in
wooing, all to no purpose, because of my ignorance. But enough of this. If
worst comes to worst, rivals must be got out of the way."

"Be guarded there, Duffel; a resort to foul means must never be had until
every other method has been 'tried and found wanting.' Remember that. One
murder will do more against us than fifty thefts or robberies."

"I know all that, captain, and shall not peril the existence of our
organization, or even the safety of one of its members, except necessity
com