suming the dress and appearance of
a gentleman. Marables hauled up the little skiff which lay astern.
Fleming jumped in and shoved off. I watched him till I perceived him
land at the stairs, and then turned round to Marables: "I can't
understand all this," observed I.

"I don't suppose you can," replied Marables: "but still I could explain
it if you will promise me faithfully not to say a word about it."

"I will make that promise if you satisfy me that all is right," answered
I.

"As to all being right, Jacob, that's as may be; but if I prove to you
that there is no harm done to our master, I suppose you will keep the
secret. However, I must not allow you to think worse of it than it
really is; no, I'll trust to your good nature. You wouldn't harm me,
Jacob?" Marables then told me that Fleming had once been well-to-do in
the world, and during the long illness and subsequent death of Marables'
wife, had lent him money; that Fleming had been very imprudent, and had
run up a great many debts, and that the bailiffs were after him. On
this emergency he had applied to Marables to help him, and that, in
consequence, he had received him on board of the barge, where they never
would think of looking for him; that Fleming had friends, and contrived
to go on shore at night to see them, and get what assistance he could
from them in money: in the meantime his relations were trying what they
could do to arrange with his creditors. "Now," said Marables, after
this narration, "how could I help assisting one who has been so kind to
me? And what harm does it do Mr Drummond? If Fleming can't do his
work, or won't, when we unload, he pays another man himself; so Mr
Drummond is not hurt by it."

"That may be all true," replied I; "but I cannot imagine why I am not to
enter the cabin, and why he orders about here as master."

"Why, you see, Jacob, I owe him money, and he allows me so much per week
for the cabin, by which means I pay it off. Do you understand now?"

"Yes, I understand what you have said," replied I.

"Well, then, Jacob, I hope you'll say nothing about it. It would only
harm me, and do no good."

"That depends upon Fleming's behaviour towards me," replied I. "I will
not be bullied and made uncomfortable by him, depend upon it; he has no
business on board the barge, that's clear, and I am bound 'prentice to
her. I don't wish to hurt you; and as I suppose Fleming won't be long
on board, I shall say nothing