"Thank you," said our hero, feeling more cheerful and hopeful. It was something to have one friend on board.
"I mistrust there are some rascals aboard," muttered Bill to himself, as he went up on deck. "They'd better not interfere with me or that young lad!" and he extended his muscular arm with a sense of power.
XII.
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
The payment of a thousand dollars to Randall had been a severe blow to old Peter Manson, and this consideration materially lessened the satisfaction which he felt in Charlie's removal.
We re-introduce him to our readers, engaged, as usual, in counting over his hoards. Preparatory to doing so, he carefully secured the outer door, and also the door of the apartment which he occupied.
Then lifting up a plank from the floor, he raised from beneath a large box containing gold coins. It was very heavy, and it was not without difficulty that the old man, who was very feeble, succeeded in lifting it to a level with the floor.
The box was, perhaps, four fifths full.
The old man surveyed the deficiency with a groan.