tarboard the pinewood cliffs of Bournemouth could be
descried; while a point on the starboard-bow was Poole Harbour and
Swanage headland, with Old Harry peering up out of the sunlit waves.
Browne ascended to the bridge, to find Foote and Captain Mason there.
The latter touched his cap, while Foote came forward and held out his
hand.

"Good-morning," said Jimmy. "What do you think of this, my boy? Isn't
it better than London? Doesn't it make you feel it's worth something
to be alive? I wouldn't change places this morning with any man in
England."

"And you may be very sure I would not," said Browne; then, turning to
the skipper, he inquired what the yacht was doing.

"Thirteen knots good, sir," the latter replied. "We shall do better,
however, when we've put Portland Bill behind us."

As he spoke the breakfast-bell sounded, and simultaneously with it Maas
appeared on deck. Browne and Foote descended from the bridge to greet
him, and found him in excellent spirits.

"I feel better already," he said, as they went down the
companion-ladder and took their places at the table. "How beautiful
the air is on deck! Alchemists may say what they please, but this is
the Elixir of Life. What a pity it is we cannot bottle it, and
introduce it into the crowded ballrooms and dining-rooms during the
London season!"

"That's rather an original notion," retorted Jimmy. "Fancy, after a
waltz with a heavy partner, taking her off to a room set apart for the
purpose, seating her in a chair, and, instead of asking her the usual
insipid question, whether she would have an ice, or coffee, or claret
cup, inquiring what brand of air she preferred--whether she would have
a gallon of Bournemouth, which is relaxing, or Margate, which is
bracing, or Folkestone--shall we say?--which is midway between the two.
It could be laid on in town and country houses, and, combined with the
phonograph, which would repeat the nigger minstrel melodies of the
sands, and the biograph, which would show the surrounding scenery,
would be a tremendous attraction. Having purchased one of these
machines, paterfamilias need not trouble his head about taking his
family away for the annual trip to the seaside. Rents would not affect
him; he would be free from landladies' overcharges. All he would have
to do would be to take his wife and bairns into a room, turn on the
various machines, and science would do the rest."

"Perhaps, when you have done talking n