r the search was in which Captain Bream had engaged, it
compelled him to remain in town much longer than he had intended.

Meanwhile the _Evening Star_ returned to port, and David Bright, with
Billy, Joe, and the rest of the crew, went to enjoy themselves in their
various ways during their brief holiday.

Mrs Bright chanced to be spending the afternoon with Mrs Joe Davidson
and her wonderful "babby" when the skipper and mate walked in upon them.
There were two little shrieks of joy; then the two wives were enfolded,
and for a few seconds lost to view, in the stupendous embrace of the two
fishermen, while the babby was, for the moment, absolutely forgotten!
But she took care not to be forgotten long. On recovering from her
first surprise she gave utterance to a howl worthy of a seaman's
daughter. Joe immediately seized her in his arms, and half smothered
her in a fond embrace, to which, apparently, she did not object.

Meanwhile little Billy stood looking on approvingly, with his hands in
his pockets and his booted legs wide apart.

"I wonder when somebody's a-goin' to pay some sort of attention to
_me_," he said after a minute or two.

"Why, Billy, I didn't see ye," cried Mrs Joe, holding out her hand;
"how are ye, puss in boots?"

"If it was any other female but yourself, Maggie, as said that, I'd
scorn to notice you," returned Billy, half indignant.

"My darling boy!" cried Mrs Bright, turning to her son and enfolding
him in her arms.

"Ah! that's the way to do it," responded Billy, submitting to the
embrace. "You're the old ooman as knows how to give a feller a good
hearty squeeze. But don't come it too strong, mother, else you'll put
me all out o' shape. See, daddy's a-goin' to show his-self off."

This last remark had reference to a small bundle which David Bright was
hastily untying.

"See here, Nell," he said, with a strange mixture of eagerness and
modesty, "I've joined 'em at last old girl. Look at that."

He unrolled a M.D.S.F. flag, which he had purchased from the skipper of
the mission smack.

"An' I've signed the pledge too, lass."

"Oh! David," she exclaimed, grasping her husband's right hand in both
of hers. But her heart was too full for more.

"Yes, Nell, I've had grace given me to hoist the Lord's colours in the
Short Blue, an' it was your little book as done it. I'd ha' bin lost by
now, if it hadn't bin for the blessed Word of God."

Again Nell essayed to speak, but the word