‘Were it to cost me twenty times as much, I would not begrudge it to gratify my revenge.’ ‘You are a most implacable foe.’ ‘So my enemies have good reason to say.’ ‘But come, there is no necessity for delay; have the letter written and forwarded to Gordon as quickly as possible.’ ‘It shall be done.’ ‘In the meantime I will go down to Kitson, and make the proposal to him.’ ‘Ay, do; and do not be afraid to promise a most liberal remuneration.’ ‘I will do so, depend upon it.’ ‘And when do you propose starting on this expedition?’ ‘By the night after to-morrow, at the latest.’ ‘Your promptitude pleases me.’ ‘Delay is dangerous; that is always my motto.’ ‘And a very good one; I will adopt it on this occasion; farewell.’ ‘Good night; although I shall probably see you again.’ ‘Well do, if you can, for I shall be anxious to know whether or not this Kitson, as you call him, will undertake this charge.’ ‘Oh, there is very little doubt but that he will do so.’ Having arrived at the conclusion of this brief colloquy, the two worthies separated, and Blodget bent his way to the ranch, to write the letter to Gordon; elated at the prospect of the success of his diabolical stratagems, and determined at any expense or danger to prosecute them. In the epistle he gave Gordon all the information he could require, and highly praised his indefatigability, at the same time encouraging him to further exertions, by the promise of rewarding him accordingly. The letter was immediately forwarded to the proper quarter, and had not long done so, when Jenkins returned. ‘Well, captain, how have you succeeded?’ asked Blodget. ‘As I anticipated.’ ‘Then the man is willing.’ ‘He is.’ ‘And think you we may depend upon his secrecy?’ ‘There is no fear of that!’ ‘Did you not bind him by an oath?’ ‘There was no necessity for that! Kitson’s word is his bond.’ ‘And did you make him acquainted with the particulars?’ ‘I was compelled to, to enable him to be more upon his guard.’ ‘Ay, true! And you mentioned the reward?’ ‘It is not so much as I anticipated.’ ‘What is it?’ ‘He demands two hundred dollars.’ ‘It shall be his freely, immediately the fellow is placed in his care, one hundred more to that, if he well perform his task, and keeps the secret inviolable.’ ‘I tell you again, there is no fear of his not doing that.’ ‘Then all, so far is well,’ observed Blodget. ‘It shall be so; and now we will have a glass or two together, to drink success to this undertaking.’ ‘With all my heart,’ replied the captain; and taking his seat, bottles were immediately placed upon the table, and they proceeded to drink with much alacrity, toast after toast following each other in rapid succession, while the deep potations which they quaffed, took but a trifling effect upon them, so accustomed were they to habits of intemperance. ‘Perhaps,’ said Blodget, after a pause, ‘it would have been much more satisfactory had Gordon succeeded in despatching him.’