ance. But that look of
silent reproach smote his very soul, causing him to cower conscience
stricken. Without a word, he left his father's side and went forward.
And there he stood with his hands behind his back, staring straight
before him. The captain watched him anxiously. His mind was greatly
confused over the confession he had just heard. What would Martha and
Flo say when they heard of it? The family would be disgraced, for the
neighbours up and down the river would learn the truth sooner or later.
What should he do? Would it be right to shield his son? The
perspiration stood out in beads upon his forehead, and a groan escaped
his lips. Then almost unconsciously he began to sing his old favourite
verse:

"Here I'll raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by Thy grace I'll come,
And I trust in Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home."

"Seems to me," he mused, "that I've been tryin' to raise Eben without
considerin' enough the great Stone of help. I've heard the parson say
that's the meanin' of Ebenezer, and that the stone refers to the Lord.
Yes, I guess I need His help more'n ever jist now."

The "Eb and Flow" made slow progress down river, for the wind was
light, and it was necessary to beat most of the way. It was,
accordingly, evening when at last she ran slowly into Beech Cove and
dropped anchor. The captain's mind was worried about the reception he
would receive, for he knew how angry his wife would be over his strange
action on the up trip. He was at a loss to explain, for he could not
bring himself to the extremity of telling a falsehood. He was thinking
seriously of this when his wife appeared on the shore. She immediately
launched a small row-boat and headed for the "Eb and Flo." The captain
received her as graciously as possible, although he knew at the first
glance that his entire stock of affableness could not dispel the
threatening clouds.

"Well, Sam'l," Mrs. Tobin began, the instant she stepped upon the deck,
"what have you got to say for yourself?"

"Nuthin', Martha, nuthin', 'cept I'm mighty glad to see ye."

"H'm, don't ye lie to me, Sam'l. Ye must be mighty glad to see me.
Why did ye go by on your up trip without stopping?"

"I was in a great hurry, Martha, an' had to git the wind when it
served. We was hung up a long time down river."

"But ye never did such a thing before. Was there any special reason
why ye didn't call just for a few minutes?"

Mrs. Tobin was a