who knew our hero;
and those who did not know him, but knew that there was something
peculiar and romantic in his case, and in the manner of his arrival,
began to cheer from sheer sympathy; while the little boys, who were
numerous, and who love to cheer for cheering's sake alone, yelled at the
full pitch of their lungs, and waved their ragged caps as joyfully as if
the King of England were about to land upon their shores!

The boat soon swept into the harbour, and Ruby's friends, headed by
Captain Ogilvy, pressed forward to receive and greet him. The captain
embraced him, the friends surrounded him, and almost pulled him to
pieces; finally, they lifted him on their shoulders, and bore him in
triumphal procession to his mother's cottage.

And where was Minnie all this time? She had indeed heard the rumour
that something had occurred at the Bell Rock; but, satisfied from what
she heard that it would be nothing very serious, she was content to
remain at home and wait for the news. To say truth, she was too much
taken up with her own sorrows and anxieties to care as much for public
matters as she had been wont to do.

When the uproarious procession drew near, she was sitting at Widow
Brand's feet, "comforting her" in her usual way.

Before the procession turned the corner of the street leading to his
mother's cottage, Ruby made a desperate effort to address the crowd, and
succeeded in arresting their attention.

"Friends, friends!" he cried, "it's very good of you, very kind; but my
mother is old and feeble; she might be hurt if we were to come on her in
this fashion. We must go in quietly."

"True, true," said those who bore him, letting him down, "so, good day,
lad; good day. A shake o' your flipper; give us your hand; glad you're
back, Ruby; good luck to 'ee, boy!"

Such were the words, followed by three cheers, with which his friends
parted from him, and left him alone with the captain.

"We must break it to her, nephy," said the captain, as they moved
towards the cottage.

"`Still so gently o'er me stealin',
Memory will bring back the feelin'.'

"It won't do to go slap into her, as a British frigate does into a
French line-o'-battle ship. I'll go in an' do the breakin' business,
and send out Minnie to you."

Ruby was quite satisfied with the captain's arrangement, so, when the
latter went in to perform his part of this delicate business, the former
remained at the door-post, expectant.

"Minni