R V

CAPTAIN SAMUEL GOES SHOPPING

Captain Tobin rowed toward the shore with long steady strokes. He was
in no hurry as he had all the morning on his hands. He did not expect
the wind to rise until the turn of the tide, which would be about noon.
He was thinking of Eben, and wondering what had come over the boy to
make him so docile in such a short time. He had seemed more animated
than usual, and had eaten his breakfast without making any embarrassing
enquiries. He had not even referred to the men searching the river for
the missing girl, neither did he speak of the conversation that had
taken place between his father and the man in the small boat. All this
was puzzling to the captain, for it was very unlike Eben's usual
manner. Was it possible that the boy knew anything about the matter,
or had a hand in the affair himself? he wondered. He banished the
idea, however, as too absurd to be entertained even for a moment.

Reaching the wharf, he tied the boat, and was making his way to the
store when he was suddenly hailed.

"Hi, there," someone called, "let me have your boat, will you?"

Looking around, he saw the immaculately-dressed young man coming toward
him from the lower side of the wharf. He knew that this must be the
missing girl's lover, and he had no desire to meet him. There seemed
to be no escape, however, so he was forced to stop and wait until the
man sauntered up to where he was standing.

"Was ye callin' me?" the captain asked.

"I was," the man replied. "I want your boat."

"Ye do, eh? Well, I guess I want it meself more'n you do, by the look
of things."

"But I want to help with the search."

"Oh, so you're Lord Fiddlesticks' son, are ye? Glad to meet ye," and
the captain held out his hand. "I'm Sam'l Tobin, captain an' owner of
the 'Eb an' Flo,' layin' jist out yonder."

"So I supposed," was the drawling response. "But it makes no
difference to me who or what you are. You might be the devil for all I
care. All I want is your small boat."

"Come, come, Mr. Lord Fiddlesticks, don't talk in sich a high an'
mighty manner; it might not be good fer yer health. A young chap about
your make-up tried it once upon me, but it didn't work out to his
satisfaction. He acknowledged it when he got out of the hospital.
See?"

"Oh, I didn't mean to offend you," and the young man retreated a few
steps. "I'm all upset this morning over Miss Randall's disappearance,
and so am hardly respo