lied S----.

"No, no! my dear capitan; here you are mistaken. We would not ask such
a thing of you. How can it be smuggling? The cargo is put aboard in
neutral waters; you take it off the coast of Spain and deliver it as
arranged. You get your money, and know nothing more about it. How can
that be smuggling?"

"Well," said the captain, "it has nothing to do with me where the
stuff comes from, or where it is going to. If you will give me five
hundred pounds, all cash, before leaving here, I will agree to take
it."

The Rock-scorpion gasped--

"What, five hundred pounds! Capitan, now do be reasonable. I tell you
no other man would get the half of what you are offered."

"Very well, then," replied the captain, "it is off. Give it to the
person who will do it for half."

"Certainly not; that is not what I mean," said the commissioner. "How
can I face my friends with such news after all I have said to them
about you? They will form a bad opinion of both you and myself."

"Oh! d---- both you and your friends. Get over the side, or I'll help
you."

"Well, Capitan S----, I have never seen a man in such a temper
before."

"Oh, go to----!"

"Oh no, no, capitan; don't say that. I cannot tell my friends of
this."

"I wouldn't take your stuff for a thousand pounds now," said the
captain.

"Forgive me, my best friend. I did not mean to be offensive; you have
misunderstood my meaning. I will give you five hundred pounds, though
I know I will have to pay one hundred out of my own purse. It is very
hard."

The captain hesitated, but was overcome by the thought of making so
large a clean profit without involving any material loss of time. In
less than an hour after darkness came on the cargo was being put
aboard with amazing facility. The first lighter was nearly discharged,
when the captain asked the agent to pay the freight. This gentleman,
with many greasy apologies, informed him that he had only half of the
money with him. He could not get his friends to agree to pay all
before starting, "but they will agree to pay half here and the other
half as soon as the lighters come to you at Amonti." "Very well,
then; I won't take another bale in, and will steam away at once."

"But," said the cunning Rock-scorpion, "you have a lighter of goods
aboard. You are very dreadful for talking about running away with it."

"You make me sick," said the captain, with a killing look of scorn.

"Capitan, you say queer things to your