“Depend upon it,” replied the Governor, striking his fist upon the table, “that Jack’s at the bottom of it.”
“I should not be surprised at his being at the bottom of anything,” replied Captain Wilson, laughing.
“Leave it to me, Wilson, I’ll find it out.”
After a little more conversation, Captain Wilson went on board, leaving Jack on purpose that the Governor might pump him. But this Sir Thomas had no occasion to do, for Jack had made up his mind to make the Governor his confidant, and he immediately told him the whole story. The Governor held his sides at our hero’s description, especially at his ruse of giving the captain’s name instead of his own.
“You’ll kill me, Jack, before you’ve done with me,” said old Tom, at last; “but now what is to be done?”
Our hero now became grave; he pointed out to the Governor that he himself had plenty of money, and would come into a large fortune, and that Captain Wilson was poor, with a large family. All Jack wished the Governor to manage was, that Captain Wilson might consent to accept the legacy.
“Right, boy, right! you’re my own boy,” replied the Governor; “but we must think of this, for Wilson is the very soul of honour, and there may be some difficulty about it. You have told nobody?”
“Not a soul but you, Sir Thomas.”
“It never will do to tell him all this, Jack, for he would insist that the legacy belonged to you.”
“I have it, sir,” replied Jack. “When I was going into the masquerade, I offered to hand this very old lady, who was covered with diamonds, out of her carriage, and she was so frightened at my dress of a devil, that she would have fallen down had it not been for Captain Wilson, who supported her, and she was very thankful to him.”