"Bad luck to 't, but 'twas a wicked fall!" said Pat, fearful that his
conscientious companion would expose the deceit.
"Can I render you any assistance?" asked one of the intruders, who were
none other than Maxwell and Vernon, whom we left on their way to the
main deck.
"Thank ye, I don't need any," replied Uncle Nathan, hobbling off,
accompanied by Pat.
"Now, is the coast clear?" said Vernon, who carried a lantern he had
borrowed from the mate.
"All clear; but put out that light,--the engineers will notice us,"
replied Maxwell.
"But I can't find my way into the hold without it. There is no danger of
the engineers. They are all asleep on the forward deck."
"What do you want in the hold?" asked Maxwell, in an irritable tone.
"I want to hide this bag of money," replied Vernon, in a whisper. "As
soon as the covey finds he has been picked, they will search the boat;
and my character is not likely to save me from the indignity of being
obliged to open my trunk, and turn out my pockets."
"It is bad business, and I wish you had not done this thing.
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