n the story Rod had
to tell them that evening of his experiences during the day. It seemed
hardly possible that cranky Captain Josh could become such an
interesting companion to a little boy. They discussed it for some time
after Rod had gone to bed.

"It is quite evident that the captain has taken a great fancy to
Rodney," Mrs. Royal remarked, as she bent her head over some needlework
she had in her hands. "But are you not a little anxious, Daniel?"

"Anxious! About what?" the parson inquired, as he took his pipe from
his mouth and looked questioningly at his wife.

"Oh, about the influence he might exert upon our boy. Will it be for
his good, do you think?"

"Umph!" and the clergyman blew a cloud of smoke into the air. "Don't
let that worry you, Martha. No harm will come to Rodney from this
friendship. It will be just the opposite, I believe, and he will
influence the captain for good."

"But Captain Josh never comes to church, Daniel, so what will people
say?"

"Let them say, Martha. They will talk, anyway, and they might as well
have something to talk about. It will create a little diversion. No
doubt Miss Arabella Simpkins will consider it her bounden duty 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 things in a different
light. Perhaps the Lord has a hand in this, and who am I to interfere
with His plans? He has often used children to lead men back to Him,
and it may be that he is using Rodney now."

As the weeks and months passed, Captain Josh and Rod became firmer
friends than ever, and scarcely a day passed that they were not
together 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 on the
river in the _Roaring Bess_, and ere long he knew all about the boat,
and could steer her almost as well as the captain himself.

When the fall settled in, and the weather became cold, the water was
abandoned, and so the yacht was pulled out upon the stocks by means of
a rude windlass. Here, covered with a large canvas, she remained
during the long winter months, safe from the driving storms which often
raged over the land.

Then it was that the captain turned his attention to trapping, which he
had followed for several years. There were several big brooks flowing
into the river,