nd of the Back Harbor."

She laid her hand timidly on his arm.

"Seth," she whispered, "what should we have done without you? You saved
our lives."

He swung about and faced her. "Emeline," he said, "we've both been
awful fools. I've been the biggest one, I guess. But I've learned my
lesson--I've swore off--I told you I'd prove I was a man. Do you think
I've been one tonight?"

"Seth!"

"Well, do you? Or," with a gesture toward the "genius" who was beginning
to take an interest in his surroundings, "do you like that kind better?"

"Seth," reproachfully, "I never liked him better. If you had--"

She was interrupted by her brother-in-law, who came swaggering toward
them. With the sight of land and safety, Bennie D.'s courage returned;
also, his old assurance.

"Humph!" he observed. "Well, sister, we are safe, I really believe.
In spite of," with a glare at the lightkeeper, "this person's insane
recklessness and brutality. Now I will take you ashore and out of his
presence."

Seth rose to his feet.

"Didn't I tell you," he demanded, "not to move till I said the word?
Emeline, stay right here."

Bennie D. stared at the speaker; then at his sister-in-law.

"Sister," he cried, in growing alarm, "sister, come! come! we're going
ashore, I tell you. What are you waiting for?"

Seth put his arm about the lady.

"She is goin' ashore," he said. "But she's goin' with me, and she's
goin' to stay with me. Ain't you, Emeline?"

The lady looked up into his face and then down again. "If you want me,
Seth," she said.

Bennie D. sprang forward. "Emeline," he shrieked, "what do you mean? Are
you going to leave me? Have you forgotten--"

"She ain't forgot nothin'," broke in Seth. "But YOU'RE forgettin' what I
told you. Will you go aft there and set down, or shall I make you?"

"But--but, Emeline--sister--have you forgotten your promise to your
dying husband? To my brother? You promised to give me a home as long as
you owned one."

Then Seth played his trump.

"She don't own any home," he declared triumphantly. "She sold her house,
and she ain't got any home--except the one I'm goin' to give her. And
if you ever dare to show your head inside of THAT, I'll--I'll heave you
over both lights. If you think I'm foolin', just try and see. Now then,
Emeline."

And, with his wife in his arms, Seth Atkins--Seth Atkins Bascom--CAPTAIN
Seth Atkins Bascom--swung over the rail and waded to land.

CHAPTER XVI

THE EBB T