"Well, you wont set yourself agin me and Rose when we've grown up, and—and—"
The stranger started, and his countenance changed.
"What can you know of my—of Rose?" he said, sharply.
"Oh, now you're getting mad!"
"No, no; but you tell me nothing."
Tom withdrew his hand and buttoned up the pocket with emphasis.
"Besides that, I aint a going to. How far is it back to Bungy? I can foot it there afore dark, and no harm done."
"But you had something to tell me."
"Yes, sir. Come all this way a purpose to tell it. Now I'm going back agin—no damage to nobody."
The captain grew pale with anxiety.