ing the
schooner. It came out, too, how Billy Topsail had held the candle over
the powder-keg. It came out, moreover, how the crew of the _Spot Cash_
had set sail from Jolly Harbour with a fair wind, how the wind had
providentially continued to blow fair and strong, how the _Spot Cash_
had made the land-fall of St. John's before night of the day before,
and how the crew had with their own arms towed her into harbour and
had not fifteen minutes ago moored her at Sir Archibald's wharf. And
loaded, sir--loaded, sir, with as fine a lot o' salt-cod as ever came
out o' White Bay an' off the French Shore! To all of which both Sir
Archibald and Archie listened with wide open eyes--the eyes of the boy
(it may be whispered in strictest confidence) glistening with tears of
proud delight in his friends.

There was a celebration. Of _course_, there was a celebration! To
be sure! This occurred when the load of the _Spot Cash_ had been
weighed out, and a discharge of obligation duly handed to the firm
of Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company, and the balance paid over
in hard cash. Skipper Bill was promptly made a member of the firm to
his own great profit; and he was amazed and delighted beyond
everything but a wild gasp--and so was Billy Topsail--and so was
Jimmie Grimm--and so was Donald North--and so was Bagg--so were they
all amazed, every one, when they were told that fish had gone to
three-eighty, and each found himself the possessor, in his own
right, free of all incumbrance, of one hundred and thirty-seven
dollars and sixty-three cents. But this amazement was hardly equal to
that which overcame them when they sat down to dinner with Archie and
Sir Archibald and Lady Armstrong in the evening. Perhaps it was the
shining plate--perhaps it was Lady Armstrong's sweet beauty--perhaps
it was Sir Archibald's jokes--perhaps it was Archie Armstrong's
Eton jacket and perfectly immaculate appearance--perhaps it was the
presence of his jolly tutor--perhaps it was the glitter and snowy
whiteness and glorious bounty of the table spread before them--but
there was nothing in the whole wide world to equal the astonishment of
the crew of the _Spot Cash_--nothing to approach it, indeed--except
their fine delight.

THE END

* * * * *

The Works of

NORMAN DUNCAN

THE SUITABLE CHILD

Illustrations by Elizabeth Shippen Green. _Popular Edition._ Half
Boards, Illustrated. Net .60. Decorated E