can't bring myself to wait on
them. Mrs. Jo G. doesn't seem to mind that, but I do. And I hate to see
them eat--in crowds. But I'll find something to do. Put the clothes in
the carpet-bag, Cap'n Billy Daddy; I may not wear them over there, but
I'd like to have them. May I take the picture?"

"Yes, only be powerful careful o' it. An' don't show it round. Somehow
she seems to belong to nobody but jest us two."

CHAPTER II

Captain David began to climb the long flight of iron stairs. It was his
custom to start early, in order that he might stop upon each landing and
take a view of the land and water on his way up. As David got higher and
higher, his spirits rose in proportion. Below were duty and care; aloft
was the Light, that was his pride and glory, and the freedom of solitude
and silence!

When David began his climb--because it was the manner of the man to face
life with a song upon his lips--he hummed softly:

"I would not live alway,
No, welcome the tomb."

He paused on the first landing and took in the satisfying prospect of
his garden, edged around by summer flowers and showing a thrifty
collection of needful vegetables.

"_And only man is vile!_" panted David, starting upward, and changing
his song. By the time the third landing was reached care and anxiety
were about forgotten and the outlook upon the rippling bay was
inspiring.

"_And we put three shots in the lobster pots,
Three cheers for the witches three_"

Davy remembered only snatches of this song, but its hilarious
tunefulness appealed to his state of feeling on the third landing. David
chuckled, gurgled, and puffingly mounted higher.

"Looks like it might be a good crab season," he muttered, "an' I hope t'
gum! the city folks won't trifle with the isters out o' season.

'Brightly gleams our Father's mercy,
From His lighthouse evermore;
But to us--'"

puff, pant, groan!

"_'He gives the keepin' of the lights alon' the shore!_'" David had
reached the Light! He always timed himself to the moment. When the sun
dropped behind the Hills, David's Light took possession of the coming
night!

He stepped inside the huge lamp, rubbed an imaginary spot off the
glistening glass, turned up the wick and touched it with the ready
match. Then he came forth and eyed the westering sun. That monarch,
riding through the longest day of the year, was reluctant to give up his
power; but David was patient. With hand upon t