ith the boys.

This surprised the Captain somewhat, for he thought she would not like
being left behind, and would have looked at all events a trifle cross.

But, seeing how she took the matter, the old sailor's mind was immensely
relieved.

"Well then," he cried smiling, with his eyes blinking and winking away,
"the sooner we're off, why the sooner we'll be back. Hullo, though,
I've forgotten the hamper! Run up, Dick, and fetch it down here."

Off scampered the lad, coming back quickly with the hamper, which he
placed carefully by Mrs Gilmour's side.

"There ma'am," said Captain Dresser, "you can look after the luncheon
while we're away. Come along, boys--hi, Rover!"

"Oh, please leave him behind," implored Nellie. "We want him."

"What, who?" asked the Captain. "Dick or the dog?"

"Rover," replied Nellie promptly. "He'll protect us in your absence in
case anything happens."

"What's that, eh!" quizzed the old sailor. "I suppose you're thinking
again of those ferocious wild animals you encountered awhile ago, eh,
missy?"

"It's a shame, auntie, for the Captain to tease me so!" exclaimed
Nellie, as the chaffy old gentleman went off chuckling, followed by
Master Bob and Dick, the three soon disappearing amidst the greenery.
"Never mind, though, I have got you, my good doggie; and I shan't forget
how you came to my help, nor how glad I was to catch hold of your poor
tail, you dear Rover, when you dragged me out of that horrid hole!"

"Be aisy, me dearie," remonstrated Mrs Gilmour, as Nell reached over to
hug Rover in a sudden caress of affection, and caused by the sudden
movement a breakage of the thread, thus interrupting her aunt's
handiwork. "Sure, if you go wriggling about like an eel with that dog,
I shall never get your frock mended!"

"All right, auntie, I beg your pardon. I'll be very good now, and
promise not to move again till you tell me to."

So saying, Miss Nell resumed her former position, and, making Rover lie
down at her feet, remained "as quiet as a mouse," as her aunt
acknowledged, until the latter had completed her task of gathering up
the rents in the damaged garment that the envious blackberry-thorns had
made.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

"THE DEVIL'S BIT."

"Now, me dearie," said Mrs Gilmour, replacing her needle and thimble,
with the reel of thread, in her little "housewife," and putting that
carefully back into her pocket, "sure, we'll have a jollification on our
own account