that, but the effort to redeem him has warped and twisted him into
a cunning and revengeful creature; all malice and no honor. So true is
this that the fact has crystalized itself into the universal belief that
the only good Indian is a dead one.

Such a one, though not comprehended by Wolf, was his partner. While that
fox-like Jew was reaping rich profit and deluding himself in believing
he was successfully cheating an Indian, he was only sowing the seed that
soon or late was destined to end in murder.

CHAPTER II.

THE SEA FOX.

While Neal Dow and his associates were conducting an organized crusade
against the sale of liquor in Maine, and that fruitless legislation
known as the Maine Law was being enforced, there entered a small coast
port in that State one day a sloop called the Sea Fox, manned by a white
man, an Indian and a dog.

The white man had sinister black eyes; the Indian was tall and swarthy.
He and the dog remained on board the sloop; the Jew, or, as he called
himself, Captain Wolf, came ashore. He declared himself to be a small
coast trader in search of choice lots of fish, and incidentally having
for sale clothing, tobacco and various small wares. He lounged about the
wharves and buildings devoted to curing fish, talking fish and fishing
to all. He seemed to be in search of information, and appeared ready and
willing to buy small and choice lots of cured fish at a low price; also
to sell the assortment of wares he carried. He invited prospective
buyers to visit his sloop, and exerted himself to interest them. While
he seemed anxious to sell, he made no sales; and though willing to buy
he bought nothing. He was in no hurry. He just ran in to look the market
over and see if there was a chance to buy at a price that would enable
him to make a fair profit. If not, he might come again, or may be he
could do better elsewhere. His mission appeared innocent and natural
enough and he and his small craft were duly accepted for what they
appeared to be.

Had any one, however, examined the dozen or so kits of mackerel which
appeared as part of his cargo, they would have found, not fish, but a
species of bait ofttimes used by fishermen; and could they have read
between the lines of Captain Wolf's innocent inquiries they would have
learned that fishing information was the thing he cared least about.
Though Wolf talked trade, but did no trading; was anxious to buy, and
bought not; willing to sell and so