One or two nights later, when he returned, it was with a mingled air of mystery and satisfaction.
"Well, Mollie," he said cheerfully, "it looks as if your pets were not as bad as I thought them." "My pets!" repeated Mrs.Bunker, with a faint rising of color.
"Well, I call these Southern Chivs your pets, Mollie, because you stuck up for them so the other night.

But never mind that now.

What do you suppose has happened?
Jim Rider, you know, the Southern banker and speculator, who's a regular big Injin among the 'Chivs,' he sent Cap Simmons down to the wharf while I was unloadin' to come up and see him.
Well, I went, and what do y'u think?
He told me he was gettin' up an American Fishin' Company, and wanted me to take charge of a first-class schooner on shares.

Said he heard of me afore, and knew I was an American and a white man, and just the chap ez could knock them Eytalians outer the market." "Yes," interrupted Mrs.Bunker quickly, but emphatically, "the fishing interest ought to be American and protected by the State, with regular charters and treaties." "I say, Mollie," said her astonished but admiring husband, "you've been readin' the papers or listenin' to stump speakin' sure." "Go on," returned Mrs.Bunker impatiently, "and say what happened next." "Well," returned Zephas, "I first thought, you see, that it had suthin' to do with that Marion business, particklerly ez folks allowed he was hidin' somewhere yet, and they wanted me to run him off.

So I thought Rider might as well know that I wasn't to be bribed, so I ups and tells him how I'd been lyin' off Saucelito the other day workin' for the other side agin him.