Next, he looked at his watch, and seemed growing so restless and uncomfortable, that the younger of the women took upon herself to comfort him by giving notice that the sloop was expected every moment to arrive for its cargo of chalk, and that all would be safe before the spies could see so far off as a furlong. "But the division is not made yet," objected the agent. "My bandanas are stowed away with some of Solomon's packages; and you know Alexander makes over to me his venture of ribbons and lace, this time." "What put that into your head?" growled Alexander, half raising himself, and looking surlily at the agent. "Do you think I have risked running in in a fog, and wrought since midnight, to give over my share to anybody? You may take your chance next time. You'll find the matter well worth staying for." "But, you know, Alexander, we settled that I was to have the first batch that was landed;--for a consideration, you remember--for a fair consideration. One night suits you as well as another, living on the spot." "By no means; when one batch is safe ashore, and the other still at sea." "But, consider, I cannot spare two days. They want me at Brighton every hour, and I promised Breme that he should have the goods----" Alexander seemed to think that all this was nothing to him, while he had his package safe under his elbow. He applied himself to a fresh dram of Hollands, and appeared to have done listening. "Try Solomon," advised Mrs. Draper. "He is liberal, and likes to accommodate. He will take the chance of another night, if you make it worth his while." "Here comes Solomon himself," cried several voices, as a well-known whistle announced the approach of some one; and Mr. Pim appeared from a side path, (if path it might be called,) his hands crossed behind him, and his merry face shining through the dusk. "I thought you would take your morning's walk this way," observed Mrs. Draper, as she handed him a mug, and pointed to the right keg. "It is time we were parting instead of meeting," said Pim. "We shall have a bright morning upon us full soon enough." "Father," shouted Uriah, "the fog is drawing off, and here is the sloop coming in below." "Trinity, bring the ass to yon point," cried Mrs. Draper to her little daughter, who was scrambling on all fours up the steepest part of the slope. "Here, Lussha, my beauty," said old Faa to his grandchild, "help me to fill up the panniers, my bird." Uriah came to help, and a respectable load of chalk was presently heaped upon the packages in the panniers, which were forthwith carried down, and hung upon the shaggy asses. Old Faa then helped to set each bare-legged child astride on the beasts, and commended them to each other's care. Slowly and surely the animals took their way along the ribbed chalk which here constituted the beach, while the children looked back to hear what Pim was saying to them.