a few minutes Watson was in Joe’s boat, bag and all—­he had not brought a chest on board—­and was under way for the Harbour.  From the Harbour he sailed the same evening, in a whale-boat that was kept in readiness for him, carrying the news over to Holmes’s Hole that the Sea Lion, of Oyster Pond, would certainly be ready to go out as early as the succeeding week.  Although Watson thus seemingly deserted his post, it was with a perfect understanding with his real employers.  He had need of a few days to make his own preparations before he left the 41st degree of north latitude to go as far south as a vessel could proceed.  He did not, however, leave his post entirely vacant.  One of Deacon Pratt’s neighbours had undertaken, for a consideration, to let the progress of events be known, and tidings were sent by every opportunity, reporting the movements of the schooner, and the prospects of her getting to sea.  These last were not quite as flattering as Roswell Gardiner hoped and believed, the agents of the Vineyard company having succeeded in getting away two of Hazard’s best men; and as reliable sealers were not to be picked up as easily as pebbles on a beach, the delay caused by this new stroke of management might even be serious.  All this time the Sea Lion, of Holmes’ Hole, was getting ahead with untiring industry, and there was every prospect of her being ready to go out as soon as her competitor.  But, to return to Oyster Pond.

Deacon Pratt was in his porch ere Roswell Gardiner overtook him.  There the deacon gave his young friend to understand he had private business of moment, and led the way at once into his own apartment, which served the purposes of office, bed-room and closet; the good man being accustomed to put up his petition to the throne of Mercy there, as well as transact all his temporal affairs.  Shutting the door, and turning the key, not a little to Roswell’s surprise, the old man faced his companion with a most earnest and solemn look, telling him at once that he was now about to open his mind to him in a matter of the last concern.  The young sailor scarce knew what to think of it all; but he hoped that Mary was, in some way, connected with the result.

“In the first place, captain Gar’ner,” continued the deacon, “I must ask you to take an oath.”

“An oath, deacon!—­This is quite new for the sealing business—­as ceremonious as Uncle Sam’s people.”

“Yes, sir, an oath; and an oath that must be most religiously kept, and on this bible.  Without the oath, our whole connection must fall through, captain Gar’ner.”

“Rather than that should happen, deacon, I will cheerfully take two oaths; one to clench the other.”

“It is well.  I ask you, Roswell Gar’ner, to swear on this Holy Book that the secrets I shall now reveal to you shall not be told to any other, except in a manner prescribed by myself; that in no other man’s employment will you profit by them and that you will in all things connected with them be true and faithful to your engagements to me and to my interests—­so help you God!”