"What craft's that?"
"Schooner 'Sally' of Portsmouth," came the answer, in the drawling tones of a down-east skipper.
"Where from?"
"Portland."
"Where bound?"
"Portsmouth."
"What's your cargo."
"Firewood," responded Capt. Fernald with a carelessness he was far from feeling; for deep down in the hold, under the cord-wood, were two twenty-four-pounder cannon, thirteen thousand pounds of powder, and about one hundred boarding pikes and cutlasses.
The British officer hesitated a moment, as if the little coaster was of too little importance for further examination.
"Well, I think I'll come aboard," said he carelessly, and soon stood with three or four of his men on the deck of the "Sally."