hat, and at
last Skipper Ed and Jimmy heard, and they knew his voice, and they too
shouted and waved their hats, in no less excitement and joy than Bobby.

Presently the _Gull's_ sails were run down, her chains rattled, and she
was at anchor. As quickly as might be the launch, which was in tow, was
drawn alongside, and Bobby, with Mr. and Mrs. Winslow and Edward Norman,
were chugging toward the landing, where the two eager men stood to greet
them.

It would be quite impossible to describe the joy of the greeting, and
the explanations and the reunion that followed. As quickly as he could
do so Bobby, with Jimmy to accompany him, ran away to make glad the
hearts of Abel Zachariah and Mrs. Abel, who greeted him as he knew they
would, and who believed they had never been so happy in their life. And
embracing Bobby, Mrs. Abel cried over him, and they both declared that
God was better to them than they deserved.

Skipper Ed was indeed the long lost Edward Norman. His brother, young
Edward's father, had confessed shortly after Edward's disappearance all
that had taken place. He was forgiven and made restitution, and had
never again gambled. Several years later he and his wife were lost at
sea, with Mr. and Mrs. Winslow's little son.

It had happened many years before. Robert Norman, Skipper Ed's brother,
was invited, with his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, to cruise in a
friend's yacht. Mrs. Winslow falling ill was unable to go, and therefore
Mr. Winslow also declined the invitation. Robert and his wife urged,
however, that the Winslows' little son, who was a namesake of Robert and
of whom they were exceedingly fond, be permitted to accompany them. The
child had been in poor health, and upon the recommendation of their
physician consent was finally given. Edward, who was attending school at
the time, was not of the party.

The yacht had voyaged northward, stopping for several days at various
ports from which letters were received. Finally a letter from Sydney,
Nova Scotia, stated that the party had decided upon a still more
northerly cruise, and for a little while might not be in touch with the
mails. That was the last that was ever heard of the yacht or any one on
board.

And so for a full three hours they talked of home, and sorrowed over
long-ago partings and the dead, and rejoiced over their reunion and the
living, until Skipper Ed suggested that they all pay their respects to
Abel Zachariah and Mrs. Abel, and comp