Page:Stringer - Lonely O'Malley.djvu/289

 the Maggie Watson might be purchased for the sum of three dollars, cash down, a subtle change came over the youthful hearts of Chamboro. The immensity of that sum, it is true, staggered the boys not a little. The following afternoon it was talked over in the cave. The boy who was already destined for the ministry, but was known of late beyond the precincts of the Rectory as "Slugger," had thoughtfully brought with him an ample jar of his mother's last year's pickled peaches, and while regaling themselves on this delicacy the entire party thrashed the matter of the Maggie Watson out to the bitter end.

Pinkie Ball—most of whose pennies found their prompt way into Pratt's confectionery—saw no fun in wasting money on a pirate ship, when it ought to be taken by force of arms.

"Who ever heard of pirates buyin' a boat, anyway?" he demanded, contemptuously. "If we 're real pirates, why don't we go an' capture her?"

"Then s'posin' you go out and find something for us to capture!" answered the Captain, with the honor of his band to uphold.