There was a pail half full of water standing near by. Charlie sprinkled Peter's face, and a moment after he gasped and opened his eyes. He cast a frightened glance from face to face till his eyes rested on Randall, when he shuddered, and cried feebly, "Take him away, take him away! He will rob me."
"Not while I am here to prevent him," returned Bill, in a tone of assurance.
"You are friends, then?" said the miser, anxiously.
"Of course we are. Did this man attempt to rob you?"
"Take care not to make any false accusations, old man," said Randall, menacingly.
"Speak the truth without fear," said Bill Sturdy; "I'll bear you out in it. He can't do you any harm."
"He demanded a thousand dollars from me," said the old man, "and when I would not give it to him he was going to help himself."
"What do you say to that, Mr. Randall?" asked Sturdy.
"I say this," said the mate, turning a malignant glance upon the miser, "that it was a regular bargain—a matter of business. This man owed me the money—he knows best what for, and refused to pay it."