wish, Serjeant Dunham, I
could prevail on you to use proper terms: An ensign halyard-block is no more a
pulley, than your halbert is a boarding pike. It is true that by hoisting on one
part, another part would go uppermost; but I look upon that affair of the
ensign, now you have mentioned your suspicions, as a circumstance, and shall
bear it in mind. I trust supper is not to be overlooked, however, even if we
have a hold full of traitors.«
    »It will be duly attended to, Brother Cap, but I shall count on you, for aid
in managing the Scud, should any thing occur to induce me to arrest Jasper.«
    »I'll not fail you, serjeant, and in such an event you'll probably learn
what this cutter can really perform, for, as yet, I fancy it is pretty much
matter of guess work.«
    »Well, for my part,« said Pathfinder, drawing a heavy sigh - »I shall cling
to the hope of Jasper's innocence, and recommend plain dealing, by asking the
lad, himself, without further delay, whether he is, or is not a traitor. I'll
put Jasper Western ag'in all the presentiments and circumstances in the Colony.«
    »That will never do,« rejoined the Serjeant. »The responsibility of this
affair rests with me, and I request and enjoin, that nothing be said to any one,
without my knowledge. We will all keep watchful eyes about us, and take proper
note of circumstances.«
    »Ay - ay - circumstances are the things after all,« returned Cap - »One
circumstance is worth fifty facts. That I know to be the law of the realm. Many
a man has been hanged on circumstances.«
    The conversation now ceased, and after a short delay, the whole party
returned to the deck, each individual disposed to view the conduct of the
suspected Jasper, in the manner most suited to his own habits and character.
 

                                  Chapter XIV

 »Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless,
 So dull, so dead in look, so woe-begone,
 Drew Priam's curtain in the dead of night,
 And would have told him, half his Troy was burned -«
                                                          2 Henry IV, I.i.70-73.
 
All this time, matters were elsewhere passing in their usual train. Jasper, like
the weather, and his vessel seemed to be waiting for the land breeze, while the
soldiers accustomed to early rising