of spirits, and began to exchange jokes and
sing songs.

"Yo di diddle diddle dee,
Five jolly sea-dogs are we.
We've to heave the anchor, and our friends all hanker
To join our companee!"

chanted Francis.

"Is that original?" asked Mabel.

"Of course it is! Don't you know my remarkable style by this time? I'm
the coming poet!"

"A modest one, at any rate!" laughed Aldred.

"Oh, it doesn't do to hide one's light under a bushel! Nobody believes
in you nowadays unless you advertise yourself."

"I thought self-praise was no recommendation."

"Quite a mistaken idea! To alter Shakespeare a little, one can say:
Sweet are the uses of advertisement!"

"You must give us a better specimen of your poetry before we'll believe
in you," said Mabel. "I shall call you a doggerel rhymster at present."

"All right! How do you like this?--

'Tis unkind, most naughty Mabel,
Your poor cousin's lines to label
As but trashy, worthless rhymes
Only fit for strolling mimes.
Don't you see the genius burning
In each verse that I am turning?
Some fine day--I'll give a hint--
You may see my name in print!"

"It will be among the advertisements, then," said Aldred. "I suppose you
really made up that one?"

"Certainly; a poor thing, but mine own," said Francis, with an attempt
at a bow. "You needn't clap, because, after all, I'm rather modest, and
it might raise a blush on my cheek."

"We weren't going to--though we'd like to see the blush, I assure you!"

"Would you like another verse? I'm waxing poetical: I suppose it's a
matter of practice."

"No, thanks, we've had enough!" exclaimed Piers. "You'd better drop
poetry, and stick to steering; you've nearly bumped us into the bank
more than once."

"Can't I have a turn at rowing now?" asked Mabel. "You promised I
should."

"All serene!" said Piers. "You may take my oar. Steady! Don't go
upsetting us!"

"Then let me have yours, Godfrey," said Aldred. "I do so want to try
too!"

"It's the spliced one," said Godfrey, "but I don't suppose you're likely
to smash it."

It was the first time Aldred had ever tried to row, and it was much
harder work than she had supposed.

"Look here! you're not feathering your oar properly," commented Piers.
"You oughtn't to put it in so deep, nor bring it out with a jerk. Watch
how Mabel is doing it."

"Oh, I know!" replied Aldred rather impatiently. She did not like to
receive any crit