"I must cross to-night," replied the stranger, in a decided voice.

"Cross to-night, eh?
Well, it's a long pull across there now," muttered the man, blowing the ashes from his pipe and still affecting an air of indifference.

Then raising his eyes and breaking a piece of tobacco between his fingers, he resumed: "Worth a matter of twelve shillin' extra--isn't it?
Wouldn't mind a trifle like that--I take it." "I must yield to your demands--of course.

It is a necessity with me to get across as quick as possible," replied the stranger, and drawing from his pocket two Spanish dollars, he gave them to the boatman, saying: "We will settle the matter now.

Here is your pay in advance." The man took the money and at once became active and civil.