"How do you know I'll be here when you get back?" asked Budd, mischievously. "I can take the sloop and be miles away from here before you get to the village."
"Judd, ye hold on to him!" cried the man in alarm; "I command ye in the name o' the law to do so!"
Judd laughed, and catching the spirit of mischief Budd had displayed, asked:
"What'll you give me, if I do?"
"A doller," said Mr. Benton, with some hesitation.
"Oh! Budd will give me more than that to let him go," replied Judd, "and you will have the thousand dollars to pay!"
"I'll give ye five dollers," cried Mr. Benton, in alarm.
"Budd will give ten to go free," was the answer.
"I'll give ye 'leven," said the man, desperately; and in his eagerness he rowed back inshore.
"Where's the money? It must be cash down," said Judd, seriously.