shall--hic--you shall have
some--hic--some soda water."

"I don't want any, father. Do come on board."

"You are a good girl, Mollie, and you shall--hic--you shall have some
cake."

"Not to-night, father. We will get it in the morning," pleaded poor
Mollie, trembling with apprehension for the consequences which must
follow another glass of liquor.

"Come, Captain McClintock, let's go on board," said Noddy.

"Who are you?" demanded the inebriated man.

"I'm the best fellow out; and I want to see your vessel."

"You shall see her, my boy. If you are--hic--the best fellow out, come
and take something with me," stammered the captain.

"Let's see the vessel first," replied Noddy, tugging away at the arm of
the drunken man.

"She's a very fine--hic--fine vessel."

"Let me see her, then."

"Heave ahead, my jolly roebuck. I've got some of the best--hic--on board
zever you tasted. Come along."

Noddy and Mollie kept him going till they reached the part of the wharf
where the captain's vessel was moored; and the end of their troubles
seemed to be at hand, when the boys, aware that their sport was nearly
over, became very bold and daring. They pressed forward, and began to
push the drunken man, until they roused his anger to such a degree that
he positively refused to go on board till he chastised them as they
deserved. He had broken away from his feeble protectors, and in
attempting to pursue them, had fallen flat upon the planks which covered
the wharf.

Mollie ran to his assistance; and as she did so, one of the boys pushed
her over upon him. Noddy's blood was up in earnest, for the little
girl's suffering made her sacred in his eyes. He leaped upon the rude
boy, bore him down, and pounded him till he yelled in mortal terror.
Some of the boldest of the ragamuffins came to his relief when they
realized how hard it was going with him, and that he was in the hands of
only one small boy.

Noddy was as quick as a flash in his movements, and he turned upon the
crowd, reckless of consequences. One or two of the boys showed fight;
but the young lion tipped them over before they could make up their
minds how to attack him. The rest ran away. Noddy gave chase, and in
his furious wrath felt able to whip the whole of them. He pursued them
only a short distance; his sympathy for poor Mollie got the better even
of his anger, and he hastened back to her side. As he turned, the
cowardly boys turned also, and a storm of such