e were two other productions: one announcing the
concert and the other an honest and quiet comparison of cash and
credit prices with a fair exposition of the virtue and variety of the
merchandise to be had aboard the _Spot Cash_.

When Bill o' Burnt Bay, however, was shown the concert announcement
and informed, much to his amazement, that it was down in the articles
of agreement, as between him, master of the _Spot Cash_, and the
firm of Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company--down in black and
white in the articles of agreement which he was presumed to have
signed--down and no dodging it--that he was to sing "The Lost Pirate"
when required--Bill o' Burnt Bay was indignant and flatly resigned
his berth.

"All right, skipper," Archie drawled. "You needn't sing, I 'low. Billy
Topsail has a sweet little pipe, an' I 'low it'll be a good deal
better to have him sing twice."

"Eh?" Bill gasped, chagrined. "What's that?"

"Better to have Billy sing twice," Archie repeated indifferently.

Bill o' Burnt Bay glared at Billy Topsail.

"Billy Topsail," said Archie, in a way the most careless, "has the
neatest little pipe on the coast."

"I'll have you to know," Bill o' Burnt Bay snorted, "that they's many
a White Bay liveyere would pay a _dime_ t' hear me have a tussle with
'The Lost Pirate.'"

Archie whistled.

"Look you, Archie!" Skipper Bill demanded; "is you goin' t' let me
sing, or isn't you?"

"I is," Archie laughed.

That was the end of the mutiny.

* * * * *

At peep of dawn the _Spot Cash_ set sail from Ruddy Cove with flags
flying and every rag of sail spread to a fair breeze. Presently the
sun was out, the sky blue, the wind smartly blowing. Late in the
afternoon she passed within a stone's throw of Mother Burke and
rounded Cape John into White Bay. Before dark she dropped anchor in
Coachman's Cove and prepared for business.

"Come on, lads!" Archie shouted, when the anchor was down and all sail
stowed. "Let's put these dodgers where they'll do most good."

The handbills were faithfully distributed before the punts of
Coachman's came in from the fishing grounds; and that night, to an
audience that floated in punts in the quiet water, just beyond the
schooner's stern, and by the light of four torches, Topsail,
Armstrong, Grimm & Company presented their first entertainment in
pursuit of business, the performers operating upon a small square
stage which Bill o' Bur