han we were by rounding Cape Cod before us. 156

It was Drislane she had, his head cuddled on her knees
till the tug came and got us. 164

"Just then one came right under her forefoot and another
under her counter. And I looks back to the gunboat." 226

The strangers out with revolvers, back my men into
the fo'c's'le, and lock them in. 268

'Twas me she walked home with. 276

SONNIE-BOY'S PEOPLE

The man with the gold-headed cane had been headed for the cottage, but
espying the boy at the water's edge, he changed his course. He crept to
within a few paces of the lad before he hailed: "Halloo, little boy!
I'll bet I know who your papa is."

The boy looked casually around. Seeing that it was a stranger, he faced
about and stood respectfully erect.

"Mr. Welkie's little boy, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir. But I'm 'most six."

"Oh-h, I see--a big boy now. But what have you got there?"

The boy held up the toy steamer with which he had been playing.

"Oh-h, I see now. What are you going to do with it?"

The boy looked sidewise out to where in the bay a fleet of battle-ships
were lying to anchor.

"Load it with sugar and pineapples, and ship 'em to the States, are
you?"

"But it's a gun-ship. See--where the turrets 'n' the fighting-tops will
be when papa makes them."

"Oh! and so you want to be a great merchant?"

"I want to be a fighter"--articulating slowly and distinctly--"on a big
gun-ship."

"Well, if ever you do, little man, I'll bet you'll be a game one, too.
Is your papa home?"

"No, sir, but Aunt Marie is."

"And is Aunt Marie busy, do you think?"

"I don't know, sir, but she's making a battle-flag for my gun-ship."

"That so? I think I will call on Aunt Marie, then."

Swinging his cane and advancing leisurely, the stranger headed for the
screened veranda door.

Marie Welkie, because of having to keep an eye on her nephew from the
veranda, could not avoid noticing the stranger. The clothing, the
jewelry, the air of assurance, had disturbed and half amused her; but
the kindly tone with the boy, the parting pat of his head, were more
pleasing. She answered his knock herself.

"Good evening--Miss Welkie?" That Southern "good evening" in the middle
of the afternoon likewise pleased her.

"Miss Welkie, yes."

"I'm Mr. Necker." From a g