“But how are we to raise the money, captain? We have no means of communicating with the shore, and even if we had, we should hesitate about asking our hard-pressed friends in Eastham to pay it. Money is pretty scarce nowadays.” Captain Knowles looked despairingly at his fellow-prisoner as he said this. “You’re right, Win,” assented Hoppy; “there are few in Eastham now who have three hundred dollars to spare. There has been no steady business doing since this war commenced and it’s been hard work to collect taxes, even.” “Have you no friends in Boston?” asked Raggett. “Why, yes, we have some good friends in Boston, I’m glad to say,” responded Win; “but what’s the good of that in our present position? We can’t get close enough to ask them, even if we were sure to get the money.” “Oh, that’s easily managed. If I arrange for your journey to Boston, Captain Knowles, will you undertake to raise the money from your friends there and return to this ship with it on a prearranged date?” This was presenting a new view of the situation. Neither of the prisoners was prepared for it, and some moments elapsed before a reply was given. Then a sudden thought flashed across Hoppy’s mind. “I think you had better go, Win,” he said. “If Captain Raggett had made the offer to me, I might have accepted it. You can get the money from old Abner Snow who keeps the tavern on the waterfront. He knows us well enough to trust us and he’s a Cape Codder himself. I don’t think you will forget the last time we saw Abner’s place. ’Twas there we met that civil fellow who told us the coast was clear for the run home! Must have been a friend of yours, Captain Raggett, by the pleasant way he spoke of you!” “I’m very glad to know I have even one friend in Boston,” said Raggett smilingly. “Lieutenant Fotheringay told me something about the incident.” “Why not go yourself, Hoppy?” asked Win. “If you will permit me,” interposed Raggett, “I may say that I think you stand a better chance of being successful, Captain Knowles. You are a born diplomat”--flatteringly--“and I also understand that you have relatives in Boston who are in prosperous circumstances, so that if the worthy Snow refuses to aid you, there is still a chance for you to borrow the money from your friends. I also confess I enjoy Captain Mayo’s ready wit, and his presence aboard will enliven us during your absence.”