do they call him Father Neptune for?" inquired Alice.

"Because," answered William, looking very wise,--"because, you know,
Neptune, he's god of the sea, and Captain Hardy looks just like the
pictures of him in the story-books. That's why they call him Old Father
Neptune."

By this time the old man had come quite near, and William, suddenly
leaving his companions, dashed ahead to meet him.

"O Captain Hardy, I'm so glad to see you!" exclaimed the little fellow,
as he rushed upon him. "Where did you come from? Where have you been so
long? How are you? Quite well, I hope,"--and he grasped the old man's
hand with both his own, and shook it heartily.

"Well, my lad," replied the old man, kindly, "I'm right glad to see you,
and will be right glad to answer all your questions, if you'll let them
off easy like, and not all in a broadside"; and as they walked on up the
path together, William's questions were answered to his entire
satisfaction.

Then they came presently to Fred and Alice, who were introduced by
William, very much to the delight of Fred; but Alice was inclined to be
a little frightened, until the strange old man spoke to her in such a
gentle way that it banished all timidity; and then, taking the hand
which he held out to her, she trudged on beside him, happy and pleased
as she could be.

The party were not long in reaching the gate leading up to the house of
William's father. A large old-fashioned country-house it was, standing
among great tall trees, a good way up from the high-road; and William
asked his friend to come up with them and see his father, "he will be so
delighted"; but the old man said he "would call and see Mr. Earnest some
other time; now he must be hurrying home."

"But this isn't your way home, Captain Hardy,--is it?" exclaimed
William, much surprised. "Why, I thought you lived away down below the
village."

"So I did once," replied the old man; "that is, when I lived anywhere
at all; but you see I've got a new home now, and a snug one too. Look
down there where the smoke curls up among the trees,--that's from my
kitchen."

"But," said William, "that's Mother Podger's house where the smoke is."

"So it was once, my lad," answered the old man; "but it's mine now; for
I've bought it, and paid for it too; and now I mean to quit roaming
about the world, and to settle down there for the remainder of my days.
You must all come down and see me; and, if you do, I'll give you a sail
in my