In the meanwhile, the interview between the deacon, himself, and the sick
mariner, had its course. After the first salutations, and the usual
inquiries, the visiter, with some parade of manner, alluded to the fact
that he had sent for a physician for the other's benefit.

"I did it of my own head," added the deacon; "or, I might better say, of
my own heart. It was unpleasant to me to witness your sufferings, without
doing something to alleviate them. To alleviate sorrow, and pain, and the
throes of conscience, is one of the most pleasant of all the Christian
offices. Yes, I have sent young Gar'ner across the bays, to the Harbour;
and three or four hours hence we may look for him back, with Dr. Sage in
his boat."

"I only hope I shall have the means to pay for all this expense and
trouble, deacon," returned Daggett, in a sort of doubting way, that, for a
moment, rendered his friend exceedingly uncomfortable. "Go, I know I must,
sooner or later; but could I only live to get to the Vineyard, twould be
found that my share of the old homestead would make up for all my wants. I
_may_ live to see the end of the other business."

Among the other tales of Daggett, was one which said that he had never yet
received his share of his father's property; an account that was true
enough, though the truth might have shown that the old man had left
nothing worth dividing. He had been a common mariner, like the son, and
had left behind him a common mariner's estate. The deacon mused a moment,
and then he took an occasion to advert to the subject that had now been
uppermost in his thoughts ever since he had been in the habit of holding
secret conferences with the sick man. What that subject was, will appear
in the course of the conversation that ensued.