that made Miss Nell step out to keep
pace with him.

However, they were not sorry when they reached the pier-head, for, all
the while they were running, the steam-whistle of the _Bembridge Belle_
was screeching away, as if telling them they would be too late, and
threatening to start off without them if they did not hurry.

"Just did it!" gasped the Captain, setting foot on the gangway and
jumping on board, dragging poor Nellie almost in as breathless a state
after him, Bob and Dick having already preceded them. "By Jove, it was
a near squeak, though!"

"Sure, it's your own fault you're not cool and comfortable like mesilf,"
said Mrs Gilmour, whom Hellyer had escorted to the pier. He had,
likewise, secured a good seat for her in the stern-sheets of the boat,
as the Captain had previously done; and here she was now snugly
ensconced when the late-comers arrived-- "How hot you do look, to be
sure!"

"Humph!" growled the Captain, not making any further reply to her rather
exasperating remark until he had finished mopping his flushed face with
a bright bandana handkerchief of the same red hue; when he added grimly,
as if somewhat out of temper, "If I'm hot, ma'am, you're _cool_, that's
all I can say!"

Mrs Gilmour, however, was used to his ways and knew how to humour him.

"Now, don't you go pretending you're angry," she said, laughing merrily.
"You needn't, sure, for I know better!"

"As you please, ma'am, as you please, ma'am," he replied, adding with
his usual chuckle-- "I know you are bound to have your own way, ma'am,
whether I like it or not!"

They both laughed at this, these little tiffs between them being of
frequent occurrence, especially of an evening over the cribbage-board;
and, matters being again on a comfortable footing, they turned to the
children, who were looking out, as before, over the side at the various
objects that presented themselves as the _Bembridge Belle_ ploughed her
way back to Southsea.

The steamer passed quite close to one of the harbour forts in the sea,
guarding the approaches to Spithead; and, of course, Bob, who with Dick
had now again donned his shoes and stockings, wanted to know all about
the imposing structure with its frowning guns, by the side of which the
boat they were in seemed a veritable cockleshell, although a fairly
good-size; vessel.

Equally, of course, the Captain had to tell him what he knew--how the
fort was built of solid masonry, sixteen feet thick, wit