A LAWSUIT AND A COMPROMISE. 49 



" The old rascal's eyes glistened, for he saw through my 

 case in a moment. ' Of course it can,' said he j ' throw 

 me and my four companions overboard, place us in statu 

 quo, and the action shall be discontinued.' 



" ' Agreed,' said I, and I reached down to enter upon the 

 performance of my part of the contract. 



" ' Wait a moment,' said he, curling up his shaky tail, 

 ' the costs who pays the costs ?' 



" ' The costs!' I replied, ' each pays his own, of course.' 



"'Not so fast,' he exclaimed, 'not quite so fast. You 

 must, pay the costs, or the suit goes on.' 



" There was something human in the tenacity with which 

 that old 'lawyer' clung to the idea of costs. There he 

 was gasping for breath, his life depending upon the result 

 of the negotiation, and still he insisted upon the payment 

 of costs as a condition of compromise." 



" Probably out of regard for the interest of his client," 

 said Spalding, gravely; " but proceed with the case." 



" ' Fisherman,' said I," resumed the Doctor, " ' what is the 

 cost of these five lawyers ? How much for the fee simple of 

 the lot ?' 



" ' They ain't worth but ninepence,' he replied. 



" ' Good,' said I, ' here's a shilling, York currency.' . 



" ' Agreed,' said he, and threw in a sucker, by way of 

 change. 



" ' Anything more ?' I asked of the old cormorant lawyer. 



" ' No,' he replied; ' all right so toss us overboard, and 

 oe quick, for my 'breath is getting a little short.' 



3 



