usual precautions, actually discharging all indebtedness of the deceased
to the Widow White out of his own pocket, by giving to her the sum of ten
dollars. This was handsome compensation in her eyes as well as in his, and
he quieted the suspicions so great and unusual an act of liberality would
be apt to awaken, by saying, "he would look to the friends, or if they
failed him, to the effects, for his returns; for it was better he should
lose by the stranger, than a lone widow." He also paid for the coffin, the
digging of the grave, and the other light expenses of the interment. In a
word, the deacon endeavoured to hush all impertinent inquiries by applying
the salve of silver, wherever it was needed.

The chest had been removed to a large, light closet, that communicated
with the deacon's own room. When all his accounts were settled, thither he
repaired, armed with the key that was to expose so much treasure to his
longing eyes. Some slight qualms arose, after he had locked himself in the
room, touching the propriety of his opening the chest. It was not his,
certainly; but he put such a construction on the nature of the revelations
of Daggett, as he thought would fully justify him in proceeding. He had
purchased the schooner expressly to go in quest of the seals and the
treasure. This he had done with Daggett's knowledge and acquiescence; nor
did he conceive that his own rights were lessened by the mariner's
decease. As for himself, the deacon had never believed that the Martha's
Vineyard man could accompany the expedition, so that his presence or
absence could have no influence on his own rights. It is true, the deacon
possessed no direct legal transfer of the charts; but he inferred that all
the previous circumstances gave him sufficient claims to justify him in,
at least, looking, into their contents.

It was a solemn, as well as an anxious moment to the deacon, when he first
raised the lid of the chest. Solemn, because it was not possible to forget