"I don't like to be accused of stealing," mused he. "I don't accuse you of anything," added Donald. "It's the same thing. If I tell you where I got this money, will you keep it to yourself?" asked Laud. "If it's all right I will." "Honor bright, Don John?" "If it's all right." "O, it is!" protested Laud. "I will tell you; but you must keep the secret, whatever happens." "I will, if everything is as it should be." "Well, Captain Shivernock gave it to me," said Laud, in confidential tones, and after looking about to satisfy himself that no third person was within hearing. "Captain Shivernock!" exclaimed Donald. "Just so." "What for?" "I can't tell you any more. The captain would kill me if he found out that I had told you so much," answered Laud. "I don't understand the matter myself; but the captain gave me that money and fifty dollars more;" and he handed Donald the price of the Juno. "You are not to say that I have even seen the captain." "When was this?" "Last Saturday; but that's all; not another word from me." "It's very odd," mused Donald. "You will keep still--won't you?" "Yes; until I am satisfied the thing is not all right." "I shall not say that I own the Juno yet a while," added Laud, as he returned to the boat in which he had come. Donald pulled ashore, with the money in his pocket. CHAPTER VIII. THE FIRST REGATTA. Donald was not disposed to doubt the truth of Laud Cavendish's story, for the circumstances were precisely the same as those under which he had received the boat and the money from Captain Shivernock. If he had had no experience with the eccentric shipmaster himself, he would have doubted the whole explanation, and refused to take the money. He recalled the events of Saturday. The last he saw of Laud, on that day, was when he ran his boat over towards the Northport shore, whither the captain had gone before him. He had lost sight of both their boats at a time when it seemed very probable that they would meet. After what Laud had just said to him, and with the money he had paid him in his pocket, he was confident they had met. The strange man had purchased the silence of Laud, as he had his own, and at about the same price.