"We must set the gentleman across, Tom," said he, addressing his comrade, and exposing the silver, "this makes it all right." The stranger now dismissed the driver with an extra dollar, for which he considered himself lucky, for he had not kept his promise to reach the ferry by sundown.
The boatman who acted as spokesman, in attempting to lift the valise from the wagon, let it fall to the ground, such was its great weight.
"There's somethin' more nor clothes in that," said the man, shaking his head and raising his hands in an attitude of alarm.

Then, with an inquisitive look at the stranger, he continued: "Hadn't no connection with them are Kidd Discovery Company folks?
They was swindlers, they was." "Never heard of such a company before.

Get my things aboard, and let us be away," replied the stranger, in a tone of command.
It required the strength of both boatmen to carry the valise comfortably; and when they had got it aboard and the stranger seated in the stern, for he said he could steer, they pulled away for the opposite shore.

Not a word was spoken for several minutes.

At length the stranger broke the silence.