er, the Courteneys, and all the
Courteney clan. Till now they had felt that, if only for self-respect
and good standing, they must recover their property, seize Phyllis on
the spot, if they could possibly command the backing to do it. But this
was now very doubtful. Something had happened to the senator's mind,
while the general was but his echo and the element called "others" was
strangely sluggish. And, finally, or rather, first and last, the
brothers were thrilled with the prodigal's lust for ready money. So far
they saw and no farther, but so far so good; here seemed to be an
unguarded opening in the enemy's line--to use a phrase the great valley
was one day to know by heart--and the warier of the pair ventured in.
Said Lucian:

"We're Uncle Dan's sole legatees."

"Then name your price for her, lock, stock, and barrel."

"Want to take her only to Kentucky, or to California?"

"Californy--maybe Oregon."

"To keep house for you--single gentleman?"

"Yes, sir."

"When do you expect to come back?"

"Never."

The questioner glanced back to his brother. Both were gratified to note
that the bargain would work no relief to Hugh or the Gilmores, but
Julian wanted better assurance that it would not free a runaway slave or
make her a lawful wife. He turned abruptly, and so it happened that all
three failed to see Ramsey, in dark attire and with Joy close behind,
emerge an instant from the pantry gangway and shrink again into it. On
the return from her stateroom to the roof, for mere variety, she had
taken this direction. Said Julian as he turned:

"You're a Kentuckian, sir. Henry Clay man?"

"No. Only don't allow anything said again' him."

"Abolitionist?"

"No, sir-ee." The emphasis was sprightly.

The twins looked at each other once more. Julian nodded.

"One thousand dollars," said Lucian....

Let us go back a step or so and up to the hurricane-deck. We have named
Hugh as in the group about Madame Hayle; but he went and came. In his
absences the matrons debated the Phyllis matter as it involved the
Gilmores, trying to find some way not to leave it an undivided burden on
Hugh and the _Votaress_. It was on one of his quiet reappearances,
reporting his father "easier," that Ramsey put in:

"Mom-a, the senator's a lawyer. Send for him--and the general--and talk
them over to our side. You can do it. You can talk anybody into
anything! You always could!"

Madame Hayle and Hugh looked at each other very muc