“On our trip back from Newburgh, we again called at Peekskill, and once more the party started for the hotel. This time Mr. Gould declined the invitation to take something, and preferred to remain on board. About an hour was spent in the hotel, when suddenly Mr. Cruger remembered that he wanted some white lead, and young Eugene Cruger and I went with him to the store to carry it down to the boat. “‘How’d the overalls work, Mr. Cruger?’ was the salutation of the storekeeper. Then before answer could be returned, he added, admiringly: ‘That friend o’ yourn is purty shrewd.’ “‘Who, Mr. Gould? Yes, he appears to be a thorough business man.’ “‘Well, I sh’d say so! He can drive a mighty sharp bargain.’ “‘Drive a sharp bargain?’ repeated Cruger, all at sea. ‘What do you mean?’ “‘Why, don’t you know he was in here ’bout three-quarters of an hour ago and sold me back the overalls you bought for him?’ “‘Thunder, no!’ roared Cruger in astonishment. “‘Well, sir, he jest did that. He kem in here, tole me he’d no fu’ther use for ’em, that they was as good as when I sold ’em, an’ after we’d haggled awhile he ’greed ter take two shillin’ fur ’em, which I paid him. Here’s the overalls.’ “I can shut my eyes now,” went on the jolly club man, with a hearty laugh, suiting the action to the words, “and call up Mr. Cruger’s face with its mingled expression of amazement and incredulity. He left the store in silence. Not until we had nearly reached the boat did he speak. Then he only said, ‘Boys, I’ll fix him for that!’ We reached home without any reference to the incident. On the way back Mr. Gould sat upon his pocket handkerchief. “The same night Mr. Cruger perfected his plan. Next day Mr. Cruger proposed a fishing party. Mr. Gould declined to go. He had concluded, he said, not to take an interest in young Livingston’s brick-yard, and would return to the city on the afternoon train. A business engagement, involving quite a sum of money, had to be kept. His host argued with him, but for a time to no purpose. The saturnine little man had a tremendous amount of determination in his composition. Finally a compromise was effected, it being agreed that he should put Gould off at a station in time to catch the train. That he must catch it without fail, he most emphatically declared. “The day passed on and we were off Sing Sing, when we saw the smoke of the coming train. We had been running free before the wind, but immediately Mr. Cruger, who was at the stick, shoved it down; we hauled in on the sheets and headed for the Eastern shore. Mr. Gould was by this time on his feet, clinging to the windward coaming, the deepest anxiety pictured on his face. Just there the water shoals rapidly. We were within fifty feet of the shore, opposite the railroad depot. The time had now come for Mr. Cruger’s revenge. “‘Let go the main and jib sheets!’ he shouted. ‘Down with your board!’