Captain January

to many hearts on inbound barque or schooner. Bright indeed was the star on the top of the old lighthouse; but no less radiant was the f

e was refilled and drawing bravely. "

ning!" said S

d the old man. "Te

ning, Daddy! That's almost half-way to the middle

enin', to the minister, I was lookin' out the places about them as go down to the sea in ships, ye know, and 'that leviathan whom Thou hast made,' and all that. And there was Hiram, King of Tyre, and his ships! Lord! how I used to think about them ships, and wonder how they was rigged, and how many tons they were, and all about it. Yes! I was a wild un, and no mistake; and after awhile I got so roused up-after my mother died, it was, and my father ma

puffed gravely at his

omes next. The Bonito was cast away, in a cyclone, on a de

hands up to the weather-beaten face, and drawing it down to

island fifteen year,-five year with my good mate Job Hotham, and ten year alone, after Job died. When a ship kem by, after that, and took me off, I'd forgot most everything,

against the white beard. "It's all over now! Don't think of it!

he little white hands which lay like twin snowflakes

I sailed from home, were growed up and gone away. No, there wa'n't nobody. Wal, I tried for a spell to settle down and live like other folks, but 'twa'n't no use. I was'nt used to the life, and I couldn't stand it. For ten years I haven't heard the sound of a human voice, and now they was buzz, buzzin' all the time; it seemed as if there was a swarm of was

th eager anticipation. "And now, Daddy Captain," she

d pooty bad. There had been a heavy sea on for a couple o' days, and the clouds that was comin' up didn't look as if they was goin' to smooth it down any. There was a kind o' brassy look over every thin', and when the wind began to rise, it warn't with no nat'ral sound, but a kind of screech to it, on'arthly like. Wal, thar! the wind did rise, and i

she said, "Act I., Scene 2: 'Enter

to say was the end of the world. Then they'd go scoopin' back, as if they was callin' all their friends and neighbours to help; and then, bang! they'd come at it agin. The spray was flyin' in great white sheets, and whiles, it seemed as if the hull island was goin' t

rrupted the child. "You know I don

ng; but a cap'n on a p'int o' rock, out to sea in a northeast gale, might just as well be a fo'c'sle hand and done with it. Wal, as I wa

eat excitement. "The guns of my poor mamma's

ce for them as were in her. But the Lord had His views, my dear, the Lord had His views! Amen! so be it! In another minute there kem a break in the clouds, and thar she was, comin' full head on, straight for Light Island. Oh! my little Star, that was an awful thing to see. And I couldn't do nothin',

"The good Lord did take 'em sud

in' Bull, as sticks his horns out o' water just to windward of us? the cruelest rock on the coast, he is, and the treacherousest: and the ship struck h

ut she added in an eager tone, "And

art! 'twas tossed about like a egg-shell, up and down, and here and thar! 'Twas white, whatever was lashed to it, and I couldn't take my eyes off'n it. 'It can't be alive!' I says, 'whatever it is!' I says. 'But I'll get it, if it takes a leg!' I says. For down in my heart, Jewel, I knew they wouldn't ha' taken such care of anythin' but what was alive, and they perishin', but I didn't think it could live in such a sea long enough to get ashore. Wal, I kep' my eyes on that spar, and I see that 'twas comin' along by the south side. Then I ran, or crawled, 'cordin' as the wind allowed me, back to the shed, and got a boat-hook and a coil o' rope; and then I clumb down as far as I dared, on the south rocks. I

over you all the time?" cried

n you, J. Judkins, let's see it!' says I. And I chucks myself over the side o' the rock and grabs her with the boat-hook, and hauls her in. 'All together,' I says. 'Now, my hearties! Yo heave ho!' and I hed her up, and hauled her over the rocks and round under the lee of the p'int, before I stopped to breathe. How did I

And then you looked and fou

white against the spar; a sail, wrapped tight round somethin'. I cut the ropes,

, Daddy Captain, it is so delightful when you come to this part! And my po

ur cloak, the same as you have on your bed in winter, Blossom: and lyin' all clost and warm in her cold arms, that held on still, though the life was gone out of 'em, was"-the old man faltered, and brushed his rough hand across his eyes-"was a-a little baby. Asleep, it seem

he delighted child, clapping

ooty,' I says. 'Praise the Lord,' I says. 'Amen, so be it.' Then I laid your poor ma in a corner, under the lee of the big rock, where the spray wouldn't fly over her, and I covered her wit

great hands and putting them softly toge

sented the old man, stoopi

y!" exclaimed the child

nly. "A light from heaven to shine in a dark p

e child's radiant face. Presently, "You've been happy

at him. "Of course I've been happy

r poor ma, have ye, Jewel?" He was still look

s in heaven, and I am very glad. You say heaven is much nicer than here, so it must be pleasanter for my po

the heavy sea, and your poor ma, and you, Peach Blossom, to tell what had happened

Star, with an air o

How did I know he was your poor pa? Along of his havin' your poor ma's

'H. M.'!" cried

u ain't no need to, but everything was done decent and Christian, and your parents and the other two laid peaceful under the big pine-tree. Then the minister, when 'twas all done, he says to me, 'And now, my friend,' he says, 'I'll relieve you of the child, as would be a care to you, and I can find some one to take charge of it!' he says. 'Meanin' no disrespect, Minister,' I says, 'don't think it! The Lord has His views, you'll allow, most times, and He had 'em when He sent the child here. He could have sent her ashore by the station jest as easy,' I says, 'if so be't had seemed best; but He sent her to me,' I says, 'and I'll keep her.' 'But how

d only the top star shinin' in the old tower. G