126 FLY-FISHING IN MAINE LAKES. 



With this comforting intelligence, I returned, by a 

 circuitous route, to "Stateroom B," and proceeded 

 to deliver my information to the afflicted one, in 

 truly nautical style ; embellishing it, however, suf- 

 ficiently to have it appear to my own mind, that it 

 would be " extra hazardous " for us to continue on 

 the boat farther than Portland, which city happily 

 we were now approaching. 



Wishing to be left alone to try and sleep, I left 

 the feeble one, and returned again to the deck, to 

 cultivate the more intimate acquaintance of my 

 " nor' east by nor' " friend. 



I found he had been joined by another " salt," 

 who was pointing to a low ridge of rocky coast, 

 which we were passing within easy hailing-distance. 

 Seeing they were both somewhat excited, I man- 

 aged to get near enough to overhear their conver- 

 sation. 



" Now Bill, 'spose 'tis : do you really b'lieve 'tis 

 buried there?" 



" B'lieve it ! thar's no sort'er doubt on't. I've 

 seen the cap'n p'int it out ter passengers time and 

 time ag'in ; and I heard him tell somebody one 

 night when I was on watch, that he'd had a man 

 digging there for a month ; the chap he told it to, 

 asked him if he commenced to dig on the full of 

 the moon ; and Cap. said he didn't know 'bout that ; 



