Rod of the Lone Patrol

his experiences during the day. It seemed hardly possible that cranky Captain Josh could become such

dney," Mrs. Royal remarked, as she bent her head over some needlewo

ired, as he took his pipe from his mou

ht exert upon our boy. Will it

worry you, Martha. No harm will come to Rodney from this friendship. It will

comes to church, Daniel,

ty to come right here, and express her views. And suppose the captain doesn't come to church, is that any reason why a little boy should shun him? It may be the means of making Captain Josh see thin

ogether for a while. There were so many things for the boy to see and learn that his interest never waned. He was so happy when out

s pulled out upon the stocks by means of a rude windlass. Here, covered with a large canvas, she re

untry, principally wooded, and these abounded with mink, raccoon, and other fur-bearing animals. The captain was an expert, and knew the most likely places where game could be best take

yes sparkle with animation as Captain Josh told of furious seas he had encountered, the dangers he had escaped, and the races he had made with other sailing-vessels. Sometimes he would tell an amusing tale, at which the boy would laugh in high glee. Often Rod would ask questions about the sailors, the sea-monsters,

d Society. This was done most of all for Mrs. Royal's benefit. She knew this, and with much self-restraint she resisted making any reply for some time. But at one meeting, when the criticism became extremely severe, she could stand it no longer. Mrs. Harmon had just been indulging in one of her long disse

n Josh, and I think it is about time for me to say a word. Mr. Royal and I have talked over the matter very carefully, and we can see no harm in what is taking place. The captain has take

im, we studied ourselves. We never considered the nature of the child at all. We looked upon him as mere clay in our hands, and we tried to mould him in our own way. When, alas, it was too late we found that he had a will of his own, and when he became old enough he rebelled at our restrictions, and, oh, well, you know the rest. Now, we do not intend to make the same mistake with Rodney. He is a boy, with all the strange impulses of a boy's restless nature. What you have called evil in him, is mere

Royal's boldness, as they had never heard her speak in such a decided way before. When at last they did find their voices, they talked of other things, and during the rest of the afternoon they ne

ded to Miss Arabella, as they walked along the road together. "Ju

than she expects. Just think what she said about that horrid old captain, who can't speak a civil word to any one. Why, he swears

ips they made up and down the river in the Roaring Bess. The captain had sturgeon nets in a cove five miles away from his own shore. Twice a day he visited these, and when Rod was on hand he went

e captain. "Do you suppose they think of their lit

t of people who are willin' to be led around by the nose jist like that big feller out there. He is always swimmin'

eding up the river, with her sail full spread to the stiff breeze. Having reached the cove and taken a number of fish from the nets, they began to beat homeward. By th

cock-pit, and held on firmly lest he should be swept ove

ppointed. As for himself he was in his element, and he was reminded of the many times he had faced rough weather out on the mighty deep. The howling of the w

cing down the river, gave a start of surprise, and pointed with his finger

o over. Now, look at that!" he cried, grasping the tiller with a firmer grip, so as to be ready for

lmost smothered by the leaping water. But this course would not bring them to the overturned boat. It was necessary for them to tack once more, and as they drew near they could see people clinging frantically to the half-submerged yacht. The captain gave a loud shout of encouragement when he came within speaking distance. With much skill he handled his boat, and told Rod to be ready to give a hand

ss, especially the younger of the two women, a girl with a very beautiful face. Her long golden hair was tossed wildly about, and at times a shiver shook her body. But her eyes attracted him more than anything else. They were dark eyes, filled with an expression of tenderness and sympa

the shore in front of his own house. Then to Rod's surprise the strange men lifted the girl carefully out of the ya

he walked home, for it was getting l

l about his experience that afternoon, the wreck,

it," the clergyman remarked when he had heard the s

r and wonderful eyes out of his mind. When at last he did go to sleep, he dreamed that