ere was he? Adrift? He turned toward
the sea. The light at Simes Badger's lighthouse was still blazing, but far
away above the dark, angry sea, there was a faint glow in the heavens.

"Good!" thought Wort. "Father's vessel hasn't broke loose, for there is
the light-house where it was yesterday, and that's morning over there.
She's coming!"

He turned toward the town. He saw one light shining from a house window,
and thought it must signify a sick person or an early riser. Then he heard
a cock crowing.

"Never knew a rooster had such a pleasant voice before," he said. All that
he could do was to wait until Simes Badger's light went out, and day
filled the eastern sky, and not only roosters but human beings were
stirring in Seamont.

"Then some one will come and get me, I hope," thought Wort.

He patiently waited, watching the dark gurgling river and the brightening
sky.

About six o'clock Simes Badger pushed off his boat from the light-house
dock, leaving his assistant in charge.

"I must get my breakfast," he said.

He leisurely rowed up the river.

"Ah," thought Simes, "there is Skipper Wentworth's new craft. She sets
easy in the water. She will make as trim a fore and aft as ever left this
harbor."

He was now opposite the newly-painted black and green hull.

"Massy!" he exclaimed, resting on his oars, "What's that on deck? A hen
there? Somebody is wavin' suthin'. Something must be wrong there. Let me
take a nearer look."

He rowed close up to the vessel's side, and there detained his boat in the
still, sparkling stream, raised his weather-tanned face, and saw a very
fresh, boyish face looking down.

"O, Mr. Badger, come and get me!"

"Wort Wentworth, is that _you?_"

Simes knew that Wort had a reputation for scrapes, but was not prepared
for this appearance under the present circumstances.

"What are you doin' there? You all alone?"

"I got asleep in the cabin, and they left me here."

"And you been here all night? It is a wonder the sharks didn't eat you,"
said Simes, who had a very vivid imagination.

"The sharks?"

"Well, no matter about them things. I s'pose now you want to go home?"

"Yes, if I can get down into your boat."

"I'm willin' to take you if you can get down."

"Couldn't I shin down the chain-cable?"

"O no! Look round and find a piece of rope and make it fast to something
up there, and then drop your rope down here and come that way."

"What, drop myself down like the