make an effort to get you
out of it. So, if you like, I will drive you over to the station this
afternoon, where you can take the morning train for St. Johns."

"No," replied Cabot, "that wouldn't do at all. In the first place, you
didn't draw me into the scrape. I went into it with my eyes open, and
am quite ready to stand by what I have done. In fact I rather enjoy it
than otherwise. At the same time I do not propose to be arrested if I
can help it, and for that reason do not care to visit St. Johns at
present. Even at the railway station we should be very likely to meet
and be recognised by some of our recent unpleasant naval acquaintances.
Besides, I am going to see this thing through, and shall stand by you
just as long as I can be of any service, for I hope you don't think so
meanly of me as to imagine that I would desert in the time of his
trouble the fellow who saved my life."

"I never for one moment thought meanly of you," declared White, "and I
know that in rescuing you from that raft I also gained for myself one
of the best friends I ever had. For that very reason, though, I don't
want to abuse your friendship."

"All right," laughed Cabot. "Whenever I feel abused I'll let you know.
And now, it being settled that we are to fight this thing out together,
what do you propose to do with the pack we have worked so hard to make?"

"I don't know," replied White, despondently; "but, as it is legally
your property, I think you ought to decide what is to be done with it."

"Nonsense!" retorted Cabot. "It no more really belongs to me than it
does to that black-faced Frenchman. At the same time I'd fight rather
than let him have it."

"I'd toss every case into the sea first," cried White, "and everything
the factory contains besides."

"'Same here,' as the Englishman said; but I guess we can do better than
that. Why not accept Captain Bland's offer, and trade it to him for
groceries?"

"I thought you were opposed to receiving smuggled goods?"

"So I am on general principles," admitted Cabot, "but circumstances
alter cases. I consider the highway robbery that two of the most
powerful nations of the world are attempting right here a circumstance
strong enough to alter any case. So I would advise you to accept the
only offer now remaining open. You will at least get enough groceries
to keep your family supplied for a year."

"I should say so, and for two years more, provided the goods didn't
spoi