er, but d----d little logic. In the first place, the king's
majesty cannot lend his crown, it being contrary to the laws of the
realm, which require him to wear it at all times, in order that his
sacred person may be known, just as the silver oar is necessary to a
sheriff's officer afloat. In the next place, it's high treason, by law,
for the eldest son of his majesty ever to covet the crown, or to have a
child, except in lawful wedlock, as either would derange the succession.
Thus you see, friend Pathfinder that in order to reason truly, one must
get under way, as it might be, on the right tack. Law is reason, and
reason is philosophy, and philosophy is a steady drag; whence it follows
that crowns are regulated by law, reason, and philosophy."

"I know little of all this; Master Cap; but nothing short of seeing and
feeling will make me think Jasper Western a traitor."

"There you are wrong again, Pathfinder; for there is a way of proving a
thing much more conclusively than either seeing or feeling, or by both
together; and that is by a circumstance."

"It may be so in the settlements; but it is not so here on the lines."

"It is so in nature, which is monarch over all. There was a
circumstance, just after we came on board this evening, that is
extremely suspicious, and which may be set down at once as a makeweight
against this lad. Jasper bent on the king's ensign with his own hands;
and, while he pretended to be looking at Mabel and the soldier's wife,
giving directions about showing them below here, and a that, he got the
flag union down!"

"That might have been accident," returned the Sergeant, "for such a
thing has happened to myself; besides, the halyards lead to a pulley,
and the flag would have come right, or not, according to the manner in
which the lad hoisted it."

"A pulley!" exclaimed Cap, with strong disgust; "I wish,
Sergeant Dunham, I could prevail on you to use proper terms. An
ensign-halyard-block is no more a pulley than your halberd is a
boarding-pike. It is true that by hoisting on one part, another part
would go uppermost; but I look upon that affair of the ensign, now you
have mentioned your suspicions, as a circumstance, and shall bear it in
mind. I trust supper is not to be overlooked, however, even if we have a
hold full of traitors."

"It will be duly attended to, brother Cap; but I shall count on you for
aid in managing the _Scud_, should anything occur to induce me to arrest
Jasper."