"Why, I meant if you couldn't swim it might be a great job for me to
get you ashore. I knew I could take care of myself all right."

At the other end of the veranda the Hon. Nathaniel and Captain
Hornaby were engaged in conversation. The Captain was not asking the
Hon. Nathaniel for the hand of his daughter Florence but, instead,
for a loan, giving as his reason that when he threw off his coat his
letters of credit to the value of five hundred pounds went to the
bottom of the pond.

"I shall have to write home to my brother, the Earl, for other
letters, and it will take some time for them to reach me."

[Illustration: "'IF YOU WILL GIVE ME YOUR NOTE AT THIRTY DAYS I WILL
LET YOU HAVE THE FIVE HUNDRED.'"]

"You are at liberty to remain here until you receive word," said the
cautious Hon. Nathaniel.

"I appreciate your great kindness," said the Captain, "but I must
visit New York and Chicago at an early day."

"How much will supply your present need?" asked the lawyer.

"I had expected my trip would cost me at least five hundred dollars."

"If you will give me your note at thirty days I will let you have the
five hundred. I will bring it down to-morrow night."

On the second day following, the Captain took an apparently very