xes, now, that belonged to
us d'ee think it is?"

"It can only be one," replied the captain, "that box of mine in which
you asked me to stuff the remnant of the gold-dust that you hadn't room
for in your own boxes. It was the strongest box o' the lot, which
accounts for its not breakin' up like the others."

"It must be that. I rowled it up in an owld leather coat bought from an
Injin the day before we left the diggin's. It's but a small remainder
o' me fortune--a thousand pounds, more or less,--but sure, it's found
money an comes handy this good day, which reminds me I've got some noose
for 'ee. What d'ee think, cap'n?" continued O'Rook, with a very
conscious look.

"How can I think if ye don't give me somethin' to think about?"

"The widdy's tuk me after all!" said O'Rook.

"What! widow Bancroft?"

O'Rook nodded impressively. "Moreover," he said, "she's tuk me as a
poor beggar with nothin' but his pay, for better and for worse, an',
sure now, it's better I'll be than she tuk me for."

The captain was interrupted in his congratulations of the mate by
another knock at the door. He opened it, and next moment was seized
round the neck by a tall, graceful, beautiful, exquisite--oh! reader,
you know who we mean.

"Why didn't you come up to time, old girl?" demanded the captain, while
O'Rook looked on in admiration.

"Oh, father," gasped Polly, "don't crush me so and I'll tell you."

When she had explained that delay in the train had caused her want of
punctuality, she shook hands with O'Rook, with whom she had renewed
acquaintance at the time of his being appointed first mate to her
father's ship. Then she was bid stand up in a corner to be
"overhauled." The captain retired to an opposite corner, and gazed at
his daughter critically, as though she had been a fine portrait.

"Yes, Polly, you'll do," he said, while an approving smile wrinkled his
vast countenance. "Fit for a queen any day. A _lady_--ha! ha! Have
you done your duty to Aunt Maria, Polly, eh? Have you made a lady of
her, eh? Have you infused into her something allied to the angelic, eh?
Come, now, a rousing nor'-wester!"

With a laugh worthy of her girlhood, Polly ran out of her corner and
obeyed orders.

"Now, my pet" said the captain, seating her on his knee, "here are some
kickshaws from foreign parts for you; but before letting you look at
'em, I must explain why I asked you to meet me here instead of going to
see you as usual i