int at Philadelphia--if so, had it the old eagle or the new? In
a word, could you swear to that quarter, Gar'ner, or to any quarter you
ever spent in your life?"

"Perhaps not, deacon. A fellow doesn't sit down to take likenesses, when
he gets a little silver or gold."

"Nor is it very probable that any one could say--'that is my doubloon.'"

"Still there must be a lawful owner to each piece of that money, if any
such money be there," returned Roswell Gardiner, a little positively.
"Have you ever talked with Mary, deacon, on this subject?"

"I talk of such a matter with a woman! Do you think I'm mad, Gar'ner? If
I wanted to have the secret run through old Suffolk, as fire runs over the
salt meadows in the spring, I might think of such a thing: but not
without. I have talked with no one but the master of the craft that I am
about to send out in search of this gold, as well as in search of the
sealing-islands I have shown you. Had there been but _one_ object in view,
I might not have ventured so much; but with _two_ before my eyes, it would
seem like flying in the face of Divine Providence to neglect so great an
opportunity!"

Roswell Gardiner saw that arguments would avail nothing against a cupidity
so keenly aroused. He abstained, therefore, from urging any more of the
objections that suggested themselves to his mind, but heard all that the
deacon had to tell him, taking full notes of what he heard It would seem
that Daggett had been sufficiently clear in his directions for finding the
hidden treasure, provided always that his confidant the pirate had been as
clear with him, and had not been indulging in a mystification. The
probability of the last had early suggested itself to one of Deacon
Pratt's cautious temperament; but Daggett had succeeded in removing the
impression by his forcible statements of his friend's sincerity. There was
as little doubt of the sincerity of the belief of the Martha's Vineyard
mariner, as there was of that of the deacon himself.

The day that succeeded this conference, the Sea Lion hauled off from the
wharf, and all communications with her were now made only by means of
boats. The sudden disappearance of Watson may have contributed to this
change, men being more under control with a craft at her moorings than
when fast to a wharf. Three days later the schooner lifted her anchor, and
with a light air made sail. She passed through the narrow but deep channel
which separates Shelter Islan