find out by simply
walking out of the cuddy into the standing room. Acting upon this
brilliant idea, he soon ascertained that the Fawn was at anchor near the
beach of Bayville. He was somewhat astonished at the fact, and then paid
a very high, though inaudible, compliment to the sleeping accommodations
of the Fawn, whereof he was first mate.

He then returned to the cuddy,--he and Paul invariably dignified the
little place as the _cabin_,--and found that Paul still slumbered. He
was considerate enough not to wake him, for he knew that he had had a
hard time of it; but it occurred to him that their mother might be
desirous of knowing whether they were still in the land of the living or
not, and he decided to go up to the house and reveal that important
fact. It was very affectionate of him to think of his mother, after he
had been snoring like a trooper all night; but John, in spite of his
waywardness, was a kindhearted boy, and he came to the unanimous
conclusion--he and John--that it was not right to let his mother worry
any longer about them. She would be astonished to see him alone, and
would immediately make up her mind that Paul was drowned; and he should
have the pleasure of informing her that his brother still lived, and was
fast asleep in the cabin of the Fawn, whereof he was captain, and he,
the speaker, was first mate.

John, on his arrival at the house, walked into the kitchen where Mrs.
Duncan was getting breakfast; walked in as he who does the ghost in
Hamlet walks in--with the confident assurance that he is about to create
a sensation.

"Well, John, you have got back. Did you sleep well, my son?"

"First rate," growled John. "Why the deuce isn't she astonished?"
thought he. "She ought to be astonished to see me come home after being
on the briny deep all night."

"You had a hard time of it--didn't you, John?"

"Well, rather hard; I slept like a log all night--except about half an
hour. You didn't expect to see us back--did you?"

"I was a good deal worried till Paul came up and told me you were safe,
and that you were asleep in the cabin."

"O, ho! so Paul has been home--has he? That accounts for it. Paul is
asleep in the cabin now."

"Let him sleep--he needs rest," replied Mrs. Duncan; and it was after
nine o'clock when the family breakfasted that morning.

CHAPTER XIV.

PAUL SCOLDS THE FIRST OFFICER OF THE FAWN.

After breakfast the young fishermen cleaned their perch and cod, and