Upon this, Truman Harford called me aside, and told me the danger of taking an officer from the ship; for that, if any accident should happen to her, the damage might all fall upon me.

I then inquired of Mr.Sheriff if there was any officer on board, who could manage the ship.

He pointed one out to me, and I spoke to him in the cabin.

This person told me I need be under no apprehension about the vessel, but that every one would be sorry to lose Mr.Sheriff.Upon this ground, Truman Harford, who had felt more for me than for himself, became now easy.

We had before concluded, that the obtaining any signature by fraud or force would render the agreement illegal.