Part 22 (1/2)
”But what do you think of my scheme to get you out of this sc.r.a.pe before you get into any trouble here?” asked Percy, who seemed to his companion to be altogether too much interested in his plan. ”f.l.a.n.g.er is a friend of mine, for I was able to render him a very important service, nothing less than getting him the command of the Snapper.”
”Of course I want to get out of the sc.r.a.pe.”
”I suppose you haven't money enough to buy the boat, if you escaped from a Confederate prison; but I will help you out on that by lending you forty or fifty dollars.”
”Thank you, Percy, you are behaving like a true friend, and I shall remember you with grat.i.tude,” replied Christy, as earnestly as the occasion seemed to require. ”Do you think you can trust Captain f.l.a.n.g.er to put me in the way to get to Key West?”
”I am sure I can!” exclaimed the schemer warmly. ”He would do anything for me.”
”But perhaps he would not do anything for me.”
”I hope you don't mistrust my sincerity in this matter, my dear fellow,”
continued Percy, with an aggrieved expression on his face.
”Oh, no! Certainly not. I only suggested that your friend the captain might not be as willing as you are to let me escape at Key West.”
”I will guarantee his fidelity. I am as sure of him as I am of myself.”
”All right, Percy, I will hold myself subject to your orders. But I think you had better buy the boat, and put it on board of the Snapper, for I could not do so without exposing myself,” suggested Christy.
”I have some money that I concealed about me, and I will pay the bills before I go on board of the steamer.”
”I will do everything that is necessary to be done with the greatest pleasure. Perhaps you had better go on board of the Snapper on our return to the town. Then you will not be seen by any person,” suggested Percy with as much indifference as he could a.s.sume.
”What time will the steamer sail?”
”About five o'clock, which is high tide.”
”It is only half-past one now; besides, I have to go up to the hotel for my satchel, and to pay my bill. Where do you live, Percy?”
”We have a house on Frederick Street. At what hotel are you stopping?”
”At the Royal Victoria.”
”What is the number of your room?” asked Percy.
”No. 44.”
Christy was sharp enough to comprehend the object of these questions; and, as a matter of precaution, he divided the number of his room by two in making his reply.
”That makes an easy thing of it,” continued Percy. ”I will go to the Royal Victoria at four o'clock, pay your bill and get your satchel.
I will meet you on the public wharf at half-past, and see that you have a good stateroom in the cabin of the Snapper.”
”That seems to be all very well arranged,” added Christy.
”But I must see Captain f.l.a.n.g.er before four o'clock. How much longer do you intend to cruise in this boat?” asked the schemer, beginning to manifest a little impatience.
The conversation had been carried on in a low tone at the bow of the boat, where the boatman could not hear what was said.
”I think I am safer out here than I should be on sh.o.r.e,” suggested Christy. ”I might meet some other person in the town who knows me.”