it would fetch a good
price for the sake of the timber, which at that time was much wanted in
the town, but the captain had still a lurking hope that he might get his
old ship afloat at some future period, and would not hear of it.

"What," said he, "sell the _Roving Bess_, which stands _A1_ at Lloyd's,
to be broken up to build gold-diggers houses? I trow not. No, no; let
her lie where she is in peace."

On the day after the squall, as Ned and the captain were standing on the
shore regarding their late floating, and now grounded, home in sad
silence, a long-legged, lantern-jawed man, in dirty canvas trousers,
long boots, a rough coat, and broad straw hat, with an enormous cigar in
his mouth, and both hands in his trousers-pockets, walked up and
accosted them. It did not require a second glance to know that he was a
Yankee.

"Guess that 'ere's pretty wall fixed up, stranger," he said, addressing
the captain, and pointing with his nose to the stranded vessel.

"It is," answered the captain, shortly.

"Fit for nothin' but firewood, I calculate."

To this the captain made no reply.

"I say, stranger," continued the Yankee, "I wouldn't mind to give 'e
1000 dollars for her slick off."

"I don't wish to sell her," replied the captain.

"Say 1500," replied the man.

"I tell you, I _won't_ sell her."

"No! Now that _is_ kurous. Will 'e loan her, then!"

Here Ned whispered a few words to the captain, who nodded his head, and,
turning to the Yankee, said--

"How much will you give?"

"Wall, I reckon, she's too far out to drive a screamin' trade, but I
don't mind sayin' 100 dollars a month."

After some consultation with Ned, and a little more talk with the
Yankee, Captain Bunting agreed to this proposal, only stipulating that
the bargain should hold good for a year, that the hull should not be cut
or damaged in any way, and that the rent should be paid in advance into
the hands of Mr Thompson, as he himself was about to proceed to the
gold-fields. Having sealed and settled this piece of business at a
neighbouring tavern, where the Yankee--Major Whitlaw--ordered a
"brandy-smash" for himself and two "gin-slings" for his companions,
(which they civilly declined, to his intense amazement,) the contracting
parties separated.

"That's rather a sudden transfer of our good ship," said Ned, laughing,
as they walked towards the Plaza, or principal square of the town, where
some of the chief hotels and gambling-ho