Captain January

e mainland, leaving Light Island alone with the ocean; the white tower gleaming spectral among the folding mists; the dark pine-tree pointing a som

the other talking earnestly. Old men, both, with white, reverend hair: one slender

t now he had done, and they took a few turns

in' much talk, and it confuses my mind a bit. There's things inside my head that seems to go round and round, sometimes, and put me out. Now, if it isn't askin' too much, I'll git y

is voice had a tender, almost compassiona

round on the bank. I never liked fog, Minister! 'Give me a gale,' I'd say, 'or anythin' short of a cyclone,' I'd say, 'but don't giv

but the old man's keen blue eyes were clea

t by and large. When a man has been fifteen year on a desert island, ye see, he learns to take things by and large.

. Morton had seen little Star in Peet's boat, and was greatly and painfully struck by the child's likeness to a belo

t was wont to do. "Ten year ago this September. 'He holdeth the waters in the hollow of His hand.' Go on, Minister. The lady t

ly that she became convinced of the child's identity with her sister's lost infant. As soon as Peet returned after putting Star ashore, she questioned him even more closely. He, good fellow, refused to commit himself to anything which he fancied you might not like

anuary. "I'm an old man, though I never kno

hand kindly on his companion's arm, "that I think ther

ke that child from its dead mother's breast, and vow to the Lord, as helped in savin' it, to do as should be done by it? Has she prayed, and worked, and sweat, and laid awake nights, for fear that child's fingers should ache, this ten years past? Has she-" the old man's voice, which had been ringing out like a trumpet, broke off suddenly. The angry fire died out of his blue eyes, and he bowed his head humbly. "I ask yer pardon, Minister!" he said, quietly, af

ein' all clear to your mind, the lady have sent you to take my-to take her niece-the li

Captain January. She is very kind-hearted, and fully appreciates all that you have done for the li

" repeated Captain January. "That's so

et's boat. He is a very singular fellow, that Peet!" added the good man, shaking his head. "Do you think he is quite in his right mind? He has taken the most inveterate dislike to Mr. and Mrs. Morton, and positivel

h a half smile. "Bob's safe, if anyone i

id, in an altered voice, "Here's Bob's boat coming

well enough. Compose yourself, January! this is a heavy blow for you, my good friend. Comp

em!" he added. "He's makin' 'em, Minister! Amen! so be it!" And quietly and courteously, ten minutes later, he was bidding his visitors welcome to Light Island, as if it were a kingdom, and he the crownless monarch of it

o come and ask for the child whom you have loved and cared for so long. For that is what I have come for! I must speak frankly, now that I see your kind, honest face

to do it easy, Lady. It'll be sudden like for the-for the young lady. And-she ain't used to bein' took sudden, my ways bein' in a manner slow. You'll happen find her a little qu

ain January turned to her husband, who met him with a w

eman," the Captain said; "for Bob Peet is a-signallin' me as if he'd

g frantic demonstrations to attract the Captain's attention, dancing and sna

m, "what's up with you, and why are ye h'istin'

at they were out of hearing of the others, "I can't touch a lady-not seamanly! But 'f you say the word-knock g