ike a dog. Come, Sep, my lad, let's get
ashore."

"The doctor, then?" said old Jonas, with his eyes twinkling maliciously.

"What, to knock my boy down, Uggleston? No, thank you, sir. I've
little things at home that will put him to bed for a fortnight and keep
him quiet without giving myself a job to mend his broken bones."

He looked at Bob, and I saw my school-fellow turn yellow and shudder as
if he were about to take a dose of some horribly nauseous medicine.
Just then Bob caught my eye, and I suppose he saw that I was amused, for
he doubled his fist, and showed his teeth in a snarl just like a
disagreeable dog who had been threatened by a stranger with a stick.

"My faith, gentlemen," said the French skipper, "ze boys is brave boys
and make fine sailor. Zey fight zis bad storm. Zey vin ze storm, and
behold me here ve are!"

"Captain Gualtiere," said my father, holding out his hand, "as an old
sailor, sir, to one of the same noble profession, I thank you for your
kindness to my son."

"Mon capitaine, I you embrace with my heart whole!" cried the French
skipper. "It is vell, Capitaine Ugglees-stone. Ve vill land ourselves.
Mon vieux brave--to your home, and trink von 'tit verre of ze bon
spee-reete vis ze friens. Come." Jonas Uggleston nodded his head and
exchanged a peculiar look with the Frenchman.

"Let's get ashore," he said. "You, Bill, I'll come out again by and by.
Get her fast to the buoy."

Binnacle Bill growled and crept behind us boys to watch his opportunity,
and give us each a nod, a wink, and a furtive shake of the hand.

Then the boat was hauled alongside, we descended, and Bigley pulled us
ashore, where, almost in silence, and evidently a very uncomfortable
party, we walked up to the cottage where Mother Bonnet was in waiting,
and her first act was to rush at Bigley, hug him, kiss him soundly on
both cheeks, and burst into tears.

I was afraid it was coming my way, and drew back; but it was of no use,
for the old woman seized me, and I had to be kissed in the same way,
while Bob Chowne submitted to the same operation with a worse grace than
mine.

"Not a wink of sleep--not a wink of sleep--not a wink of sleep all
night!" the old woman kept on sobbing over and over again. "Master
Bigley--Master Bigley, I was afraid I should never see you any more!"

"Brave vomans? Ha, ha! Brave vomans!" cried the Frenchman.

"Look here, Duncan!" said the doctor. "I don't think we'll trouble