"You are, eh? Where do you hail from?"
Jack hesitated an instant, and then replied with a forced laugh,—
"I s'pose I oughter say I belong to the farm, 'cause I haven't any other home."
"An orphan, eh?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where did your folks useter live?"
Jack was not aware that Mr. Treat had the name of being the most inveterate gossip in the neighborhood; but felt positive there was no good reason why he should satisfy his curiosity on this point, more particularly since, in view of Bill Dean's threats, he wished to keep as a secret everything concerning himself, therefore said with an assumption of carelessness,—
"Almost anywhere. You see I was brought up to be a sailor."
"Sho! Is that so? Well now I wouldn't think you'd make much of a fist shinnin' 'round on the riggin'."
"Even if I am crooked I might be as spry as other fellers."