"Your request is one fraught with difficulty, but I will see the lieutenant-governor, Mr. Latrobe, and lay the subject before him. Perhaps you would like to speak to the gentleman himself on the matter."
"Perhaps it would be better if we did," replied Fred, with no expression of astonishment on his face at the proposal.
"Then I will get you an audience to-morrow afternoon, and mind, don't be afraid to speak to the governor when you see him."
"Have no fear on that point," I replied, with a smile.
"Then good-by until to-morrow; I'll send Murden for you when the governor is ready."
The captain so far forgot his aristocracy that he actually extended his hand at parting, and shook our fists with a right good will.
We joined Smith, who was standing a short distance from us, and had listened to every word that had been uttered with a face of scarlet, but as we turned away, I heard the captain remark,—
"Those are singular young fellows, and somehow I begin to like them."
"Well, Smith," I said, as he drove his team from the yard, "we are to have a hearing to-morrow, and perhaps in the evening may be able to celebrate your liberation."