"I reckon his head is well enough," said Sewall. "I wish mine had as much in it."
At noon the boat came back, and, in company, a shore boat, in which was Pierre Lallemont, with his stock and tools, rowed by a negro boy. He was quite a contrast to Solomon, being a strong, tall, intelligent-looking man, pretty well bleached, and in the prime of life. He went to work directly, with his boy, on the water-cask. When the job was finished, Walter took him into the cabin alone, and, after paying him, said to him in French, "Did you do any work for Captain Aldrich, of the Casco, when he was here?"
"Yes, sir; I coopered his molasses."
"He lost his cook here, it is said."
"So I heard at the time."
"Old Quambo, the bumboat-man, told me you said he was kidnapped, and sold to a planter."
"He lies!" replied Pierre, quickly. "I never spoke a word to him about any such thing."
"He never said you did, but that he overheard you tell your wife that man was sold to a planter."
"He's an old fool, and lost what sense he ever had."
"Will one hundred dollars in gold help your recollection?"