"I was wondering," he said, "how long you mean to stay in Albany."

"It's a pleasant town," said the man, "as I have cause to know since
I've been here before. I may remain quite a while. Still, I shall decide
wholly according to my taste."

"But there is a certain element of danger."

"Oh, the war! I don't think the French even if they come to Albany will
have a chance to take me."

"I didn't have the war in mind. There are other risks of which I think
that I, Peter Smith, who sailed with you once before ought to warn you."

"It's good of you, Peter, to think so much of my safety, but I don't
believe I've any cause for fear. I've always been able to take care of
myself."

The last words were said with a little snap, and Robert knew they were
meant as a defiance, but he appeared not to notice.

"Ah, well you've shown that you know how to look out for number one," he
said. "I'm only Peter Smith, a humble seaman, but I've the same faculty.
I bid you good-day."

"Good-day, Peter. I hope there's no ill feeling between us, and that
each will have whatever he deserves!"

Cool! wonderfully cool, Robert thought, but he replied merely: "I trust