The contract of suretyship is no exception to the rule of law that every contract requires a consideration to support it. Where the surety's contract is made contemporaneously or concurrently with the principal debtor's, one consideration answers for both contracts.1 It is not required that the consideration move directly to the surety himself. The consideration is usually some benefit that accrues to the principal debtor, or some forbearance given or detriment suffered by the creditor. The promise of the surety or guarantor may follow the making of the original contract; if so, a new consideration must follow to support the surety's contract. A past consideration will not suffice. The consideration must not be illegal, either by rule of the common law or statute, nor must it be opposed to the rule of public policy.2