ch a bigger one, Colonel Shepard," replied the
pilot, delighted to be vindicated.

"Now let her out, and run for Green Cove Springs," I interposed.

The deck-hands wound up the lines; we were soon out of the lake, and
again headed up the St. Johns River. All the party were exhilarated by
the fine sport we had had on the lake, and they were devoting
themselves to a particular examination of the fish. Ben Bowman laid
aside the dignity of his office as assistant engineer, and proceeded to
dress the fish, which he was better qualified to do than any other
person on board. It was about six o'clock in the afternoon when we
finished fishing, and the cabin party were called to supper before we
got out of the lake. As soon as they had sufficiently discussed the
fish, they went below.

The mate relieved Cornwood at the wheel while the latter went to
supper, which was ready at the same hour as the cabin meal. I preferred
to take my supper with Washburn, and so I waited till half an hour
later. I was talking with him about the fishing, when Chloe came to the
door of the pilot-house, and with her usual smile said she would like
to see me. I went out on the forecastle with her, for I thought she had
taken the particular time when Cornwood was at supper to speak with me.

"Captain Garningham, I am willing to leave the Sylvania when the boat
gets to Green Cove Springs, for I know that I am making a great deal of
trouble on board," said she, showing her pretty white teeth.

"I was not aware that you had made any trouble on board," I replied.
"It is your husband who has made all the trouble."

"Well, it is on my account; and if I leave the Sylvania, he will not
trouble you any more," she added.

"I don't think the ladies in the cabin would be willing that you should
leave."

"I am sure Griffin will be in Green Cove Springs to-night, and he will
make a heap of trouble there as he has done to-day," continued Chloe.
"I don't want to keep you in hot water all the time on my account."

"We understand the situation better than before, and we shall have no
further trouble with Griffin. I shall have a hand forward and another
aft whenever we are at anchor, or at a wharf, so that he can't get on
board of the steamer," I replied. "If you don't want to go with him,
all you have to do is to stay on board."

"I don't want to go with him," said she, with a good deal of energy.
"If I could have found a place in a steamer going north, or anyw