"Captain Shivernock says he won't trouble any courts to fight his battles for him; he can fight them himself." "It was wrong to pound any man as Hasbrook was. Why, he wasn't able to go out of the house for a month," added Donald, who was clearly opposed to Lynch law. Donald was somewhat staggered in his belief by the evidence of his companion, but he determined to inquire further into the matter, and even hoped now that Hasbrook would call upon him. "One more question, Laud. Do you know where Captain Shivernock got the bills he paid you, and you paid me?" asked he. "Of course I don't. How should I know where the captain gets his money?" replied Laud, in rather shaky tones. "True; I didn't much think you would know." "What odds does it make where he got the bills?" asked Laud, faintly. "It makes a heap of odds." "I don't see why." "I'll tell you why. I paid three of those bills to Mr. Leach to-night for the Maud's suit of sails. One of them was a mended bill." "Yes, I remember that one, for I noticed it after the captain gave me the money," added Laud. "Mr. Leach paid that bill to Captain Patterdale." "To Captain Patterdale!" exclaimed Laud, springing to his feet. "What odds does it make to you whom he paid it to?" asked Donald, astonished at this sudden demonstration. "None at all," replied Laud, recovering his self-possession. "What made you jump so, then?" "A mosquito bit me," laughed Laud. But it was a graveyard laugh. "Leach paid the bill to Captain Patterdale--you say?" "Yes, and Captain Patterdale says there is something wrong about the bill," continued Donald, who was far from satisfied with the explanation of his companion. "What was the matter? Wasn't the bill good?" inquired Laud. "Yes, the bill was good; but something was wrong, he didn't tell me what." "That was an odd way to leave it. Why didn't he tell you what was wrong?" "I don't know. I suppose he knows what he is about, but I don't." "I should like to know what was wrong about this bill. It has passed through my hands, and it may affect my honor in some way," mused Laud. "You had better have your honor insured, for it will get burned up one of these days," added Donald, as he rose from his seat, and hauled in his skiff, which was towing astern. He stepped into the boat, and tossed Laud's basket to him. "Here is your basket, Laud," added he. "It was my evidence against you; and next time, when you want to burn a yacht, don't leave it on her deck." "You will keep shady--won't you, Don John?" he pleaded. "That will depend upon what you say and do," answered Donald, as he shoved off, and sculled to the wharf where the Maud lay, to assure himself that she was in no danger.