“She go up de riber in a little bit,” put in one of the darkeys that were lounging idly about the bulkhead. “Thank you,” said Number Two, who appeared to be a perfect gentleman. He was walking up the steps leading to the cabin deck, when Number One called out: “Stranger—excuse me—but are you the gentleman I saw up in town with the new patent lock?” “Yes,” returned Number Two, pausing on the stairs: “this is it.” “Would you be kind enough to let me look at it?” “Certainly,” returned Number Two, with an obliging air, as he descended the stairs. “Perhaps,” suggested Number One, “you are in a hurry, and—” “O, no,” replied Number Two; “not at all. I intend to take passage on the boat, and I can go up to the office at any time and pay my fare.” And he handed Number One the lock. “I believe I heard you say,” observed Number One, as he began to inspect it, “that this is your own invention.” “It is,” replied Number Two. “Have you a patent for it?” “Yes, it was patented but lately.” The deck-hands and several passengers, who happened to be strolling about the lower deck, now collected around and gazed on the lock with curious eyes. “Did I understand you to say,” queried Number One, “that no key is used to open the lock?” “Correct. No key is required, I can simply take it, shoot the ring-bolt into its place, and I’ll bet any man a hundred dollars that he can’t open it.” The spectators looked on with increased interest. “Lock it for me,” said Number One, handing it back to the owner. “I would like to try it.” “Certainly.” Number Two took the lock—a spring-lock, apparently—shot the bolt into its place, with a snap, and returned it to Number One. “There,” said he, “you’ll be the sharpest man I ever saw if you open it.” The spectators now gathered around closer, and looked on with an interest that was intense. Number One took the lock, inserted his finger in the ring-bolt and took a dead pull on it. “It won’t come open that way,” he remarked, as he pretended to scan it more closely. “No,” replied Number Two; “you might as well pull against two yoke of oxen.” Presently, Number One appeared to discover a slight,—almost imperceptible,—protuberance, which looked as though it might connect with a secret spring; and pressing this slyly, he opened the lock, and handed it back to Number Two, with an air of triumph. “There,” said he; “when you invent another lock bring it to me and I’ll open it for you.” A loud laugh went round at the expense of Number Two, who seemed much disconcerted. “Ha, ha, ha,” laughed an ebony deck-hand. “If all de locks was dat easy opened a fellah’s prwopehty wouldn’t be very safe.” “_You_ can’t open it,” retorted Number Two, a little irritated. “What’ll you bet?” said darkey. “I’ll bet a hundred dollars you can’t,” said Number Two, whom discomfiture seemed to have rendered reckless. “Will you bet _me_ a hundred dollars that _I_ can’t open it?” asked Number One, boldly.