those who esteemed themselves shrewd and knowing, he was looked upon as a harmless but irreclaimable fool. Notwithstanding this, Master Craftall had raised himself, some way or other, from an obscure station, and very limited means, to be a partner in the chief firm in Exeter. His lean, ungainly figure, and hard features, though the last were hardly ever free from a quiet smile, affecting benevolence and equanimity, might have been a disadvantage to him in another walk of life; but, in that of commerce, they had formed no impediment to his progress, and he plodded his way to wealth unobserved, without exciting enmity, or awaking esteem. Such was the person who received Sir Walter Raleigh, with one of his blandest smiles, at the door of his countinghouse, on the morning after his visit to Bethlehem Hall. Stepping out from the door, he assisted the knight to dismount, and then, delivering his horse to the care of his groom, invited him to pass to the interior. There Sir Walter found Shedlock, and Hardscrew, the lawyer; and after a brief greeting, these persons proceeded, by paying him over the stipulated sum, to bring their transaction with him to a close. Their business effected, Sir Walter was about to take his leave, when Craftall, turning round from an adjacent desk, from which he could see and hear all that passed, interposed. “Doth worthy Master Shedlock guess truly, good Sir Walter,” he said, in a silvery tone, “that thou art sending out a ship to Carolina?” “That does he, Master Craftall,” answered Sir Walter. “I am sending two ships thither.” “Wherefore askest thou this?” inquired Shedlock. “I have it from gentle Master Chatter,” replied Craftall, in the same silvery tone, “that thou hast just apprehended an escaped felon, a runaway from the plantations; and sweet Master Pry, who was by when it was told me, thought the knave should be again sent to the plantations, if occasion should serve.” “Verily, Master Pry thought well,” observed Shedlock. “If the man be truly a runaway,” said Sir Walter, “and of an able body, he will be right welcome; for we have but few labourers.” “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers be few,” remarked Shedlock. “I know not if he be a runaway,” said Craftall; “but worthy Master Chatter, who is reported to be well informed on such matters, so named him to me.” “Master Chatter named him aright,” observed Shedlock. “Moreover, he is of an able body, and, in all things fitting, well endowed.” “We will have him aboard at once,” said Sir Walter. “I purpose to despatch my own ship with the morrow, and she may tarry for the other, which is a hired one, at Carolina.” Shedlock’s small eyes, which hitherto had been bent on the table, were raised up at this moment, and emitted a gleam of intense satisfaction. “Verily, ’tis the resolve of wisdom,” he said, as if to himself.