then
really dark.

"Your supper is awaiting you," he announced, "and I am afraid that Mrs.
Jabe is contemplating a hot footbath and some sort of herb tea; and we
ought to turn in pretty early to-night, for Captain Jabe has announced
that he will sail between four and five o'clock in the morning."

"Walkirk," said I, sitting up in the hammock, "I have no intention of
sailing to-morrow. I prefer to stay here for a time; I don't know for
how long."

"Stay here!" exclaimed Walkirk. "What on earth can you do here? What
possible attraction can this place have?"

"My good Walkirk," I said, rising and walking toward the house, "I am
here, and here I want to stay. Reasons are the most awkward things in
the world. They seldom fit; let us drop them. Perhaps, if Captain and
Mrs. Jabe think I did not treat their company with proper courtesy, they
may feel that I am making amends by desiring to stay with them. Any way,
I am going to stay."

Captain Jabe and his wife were very much surprised when I announced my
intention of remaining at their place for a day or two longer, but, as I
had surmised, they were also flattered.

"This is a quiet place," said the captain, "but as ye ain't very well,
and seem to like to keep to yerself, I don't see why it shouldn't suit
ye. There's plenty o' good air, and fishin' if ye want it, and we can
accommodate ye and give ye plenty to eat. I shall be back to-morrow
night, and expect to stay home over Sunday myself."

Walkirk was very much dissatisfied, and made a strong attempt to turn me
from my purpose. "If you intend to do anything in regard to Miss
Raynor," he said, "I really think you ought to get home as soon as you
can. Mother Anastasia is now having everything her own way, you know."

"Walkirk," said I, "you blow hot and cold. If it had not been for you, I
should be home this minute; but you dissuaded me from a hot chase after
Mother Anastasia, and now my ardor for the chase has cooled, and I am
quite inclined to let that sport wait."

Walkirk looked at me inquiringly. It was evident that he did not
understand my mood.

The next morning I found myself in a quandary. I had determined to make
a long tramp inland, and if necessary to ford or swim streams, and I
could not determine whether or not it would be wise to take Walkirk with
me. I concluded at last to take him; it would be awkward to leave him
behind, and he might be of use. We provided ourselves with fishing rods
and tackle a