"I've bet this gentleman, Mr. Harkaway, five hundred that he can't swim out to the rocks and bring back a seal, and I want you to hold the stakes."
"I'll do it. But does the gentleman know that it's the breeding-season, and the seals are dangerous at this time of the year?"
Harkaway approached and handed over his money.
"That doesn't matter!" he exclaimed. "I'm willing to accept the bet. All I want is a bathing-suit and a sharp knife. That's fair, I hope."
"Certainly," said Mr. Foster.
"I don't object," replied Captain Blower.
"You see that big fellow half way up the biggest rock?" continued Jack, pointing to the sea.
"Yes; that is the one we call General Butler."
"All right, I'll undertake to bring him back, although I might win the bet by carrying off one of the small seals."
Foster admired his courage, but doubted his ability to carry out his determination.