"Of course not," responded I, indignantly. "Such sights are anything but pleasurable." "He ain't all right, that 'un," said Gauze-eyes, as old Kit re-entered the office, and I stepped back to listen. "Well, I don't know," muttered the other; "I 'm a-think-ing it be doubtful, sir. He ha' n't got much clink with him, that's a fact." "I have half a mind to send Chico up in the boat to-night, just to dodge him a bit." "Well, ye might do it," yawned the other; "but Chico is such an almighty villain that he'll make him out a rogue or a swindler, at all events." "Chico is smart, _that_ I do confess," said the other, with a grin. "And he do look so uncommon like a vagabond, too; Chico, I don't like him." "He can look like anything he pleases, Chico can. I've seen him pass for a Pawnee, and no one ever disciver it." "He 's a rank coward, for all that," rejoined the skipper; "and he can put no disguise upon _that_." The sound of feet, indicative of leaving, made me hasten from the spot, but in a mood far from comfortable. With the fate of my ingenious predecessor in "Hall's Court" before me, and the small possibility of escaping the shrewd investigations of "Chico," I really knew not what course to follow. The more I reflected, however, the less choice was there at my disposal; the bold line, as generally happens, being not a whit more dangerous than the timid path, since, were I to abandon my prize, and not proceed to Houston, the inevitable Chico would only be the more certain to discover me. My mind was made up; and, stepping into a shop, I expended two of my four dollars in the purchase of a "revolver,"--second-hand, but an excellent weapon, and true as gold. A few cents supplied me with some balls and powder; and, thus provided, I took my way towards the wharf where the steamer lay, already making some indicative signs of readiness. I took a steerage passage; and, not knowing where or how to dispose of myself in the interval before starting, I clambered into a boat on deck, and, with my bundle for a pillow, fell into a pleasant doze. It was not so much sleep as a semi-waking state that merely dulled and dimmed impressions,--a frame of mind I have often found very favorable to thought. One is often enabled to examine a question in this wise, as they look at the sun through a smoked glass, and observe the glittering object without being blinded by its brilliancy. I suppose the time I passed in this manner was as near an approach to low spirits as I am capable of feeling; for of regular downright depression, I know as little as did Nelson of fear.