the cabin where he found the girl making herself
perfectly at home tidying up the place.

"Eben's come," the captain laconically remarked,

"So I understand," and the girl smiled.

"Ye heard what was said, eh?"

"Certainly. I'm not deaf."

"Sure, sure. Me temper got the best of me to-night. But I couldn't
help it, fer that boy did more'n stir me up. Guess he's cooled down
now, though I'm mighty surprised that he knuckled under so soon. It's
not a bit like Eb's way, let me tell ye that."

"I am very sorry to give all this trouble," the girl acknowledged. "I
feel ashamed of myself."

"Most likely ye do, Miss. We all feel that way at times. But I must
git a hustle on, an' tote up some clothes fer the night, an' a snack of
grub fer Eben. He's mighty fond of his stummick, that boy is. He'd
eat every hour of the day, jist the same as a chicken, an' then
wouldn't be satisfied."

Captain Tobin was much surprised that his son asked him no questions
that night. He did not even refer to the cabin, but after he had eaten
two large slices of bread, well soaked in molasses, he stretched
himself out upon the deck, drew a heavy quilt over his body, and was
soon fast asleep. The captain, however, did not sleep for some time.
He sat upon the cover of the hatchway and puffed at an old corn-cob,
which had been brought into service after the ruin of his favourite
clay pipe. It was a beautiful night, and not a breath of wind ruffled
the surface of the river. The captain was thinking seriously, as he
was greatly puzzled what to do with the girl who had thrust herself so
unceremoniously upon him. He could not put her ashore, that was quite
evident, and he knew that he could not keep her presence a secret from
Eben for any length of time. And then there was Martha. What would
she and Flo say when they heard of it? This thought brought the
perspiration to his forehead, causing him to shift uneasily. And the
neighbours! What a rare bit of gossip it would be when they heard of
it. And hear of it they certainly would, and he would be disgraced.
It was somewhat late when he at length rolled himself up in his blanket
by his son's side. Silence reigned near the cabin, and he fell asleep
feeling that he had done the best that he could under the circumstances.

He awoke early, and scrambled to his feet. Eben was still asleep, so
he moved about as quietly as possible so as not to disturb him. Far
off in the east the da