ys joined him, and
together they watched the strange craft limp into the cove. As she came
nearer they could see that she was old and dilapidated. Her brown canvas
was frayed and rotten; tag-ends of rope hung here and there; and her
battered sides were badly in need of a coat of fresh paint.

"Built in the year one!" was Jim's verdict. "Almost too old to be
knocking round so far offshore!"

Gliding slowly into the cove, she lost headway not far from the
_Barracouta_. A small black dog began to run to and fro on board and
bark excitedly. The man at the helm, evidently her only crew, hurried
stiffly forward, let the jib and mainsail run down, and dropped the
anchor. Then the boys were treated to a fresh surprise.

[Illustration]

A shaggy white cat leaped from the standing-room upon the roof of the
cabin. A Maltese followed her. Then another, jet black, sprang into
view. The three rubbed about the legs of the man as he made his cable
fast. Nemo, roused from his nap under the stove, ran down to the water's
edge and began an interchange of ferocious greetings with the strange
canine; while the cats, lining up in a row on the side, arched their
backs and spit fiercely.

The boys viewed this menagerie with amazement.

"Barnum & Bailey's come to town!" muttered Budge.

His craft safely moored, the man drew in a small punt which was towing
astern and stepped into it. The dog followed.

"Back, Oliver!" ordered his master.

Grasping the animal by the scruff of the neck, he tossed him into the
standing-room. Then he slowly sculled the punt to the beach. Jim walked
down to meet him.

The stranger was of medium height, and apparently over sixty years old.
His beard and mustache were gray. He wore a black slouch-hat and a
Prince Albert coat, threadbare and shiny, but neatly brushed. He stepped
briskly ashore, with shoulders well set back. His dark eyes carried a
suggestion of melancholy, and his face was deeply lined.

"I've dropped in to make repairs," said he. "Broke my main boom in a
squall about a mile north of the island, and thought I might get some
one here to help me fix it."

"You did right to come," returned Jim. "We'll be glad to do anything we
can, Mr.--"

"Thorpe," supplied the other. "That isn't my name, but it'll do as well
as any."

"Mine's Spurling," said Jim.

They shook hands and walked up to the camp. There Jim introduced the
newcomer to the other boys. Supper was about to be put on the table a