st,--an active,
energetic son of the sea, though somewhat time-worn and weather-beaten.
The person of the old man had been familiar to Flora since she was a
little child; and many a stolen trip had she taken with her brothers in
his cockleshell of a boat, which, tough as its master, had stood the
wear and tear of the winds and waves for many years.

Since she came to reside at ----, she had often watched that little boat
dancing over the waves, carried onward by a stiff breeze,--now hiding in
the green valleys of the sea, now mounting aloft, like a feather
floating on the ridge of some toppling surge. The old man seemed to
bear a charmed life; for at all seasons, and in almost all weather, the
little wiry seaman, with his short pipe in his mouth, and his noble
Newfoundland dog, Neptune, in the bow of his boat, might be seen
coasting along the shore, following his adventurous calling.

That large, deep-chested, powerful dog, was the admiration of all the
children in the town. It was considered a privilege by the young fry to
pat Neptune's buff head, and call him the "dear, good, old dog!" and
well did the fine animal deserve the title.

The good dog had, at different times, saved nine seamen from a watery
grave, as the collar he wore round his neck recording the fact could
testify.

Next to his two fine sons, Nep was the delight of the old man's heart.
They were never seen apart. In storm or shine, Nep accompanied his
master in the boat; or, if fishing on the beach, he sat up on his
haunches, with a calm, sagacious air, watching the accumulating pile of
fish entrusted to his care. Sociable, affable, and gentle, he submitted
good-humouredly to the caresses of all the youngsters who passed that
way; but if any one dared to lay a finger upon the fish, the lion-like
nature of the animal was roused into instant action. His mild eye became
red and fiery, and his deep voice bade defiance to the incautious
intruder on his master's rights, to protect which Nep was ready to lay
down his valuable life.

Jarvis and his dog enjoyed a great degree of popularity in an humble
way; and were decidedly among the lions of the place. Gentlemen had
offered large sums for the buff Newfoundland dog, which Jarvis had
rejected without a second thought; declaring, that he would as soon sell
a child for money, as his faithful Nep.

During the past year the old seaman had been severely tried. Misfortune
had followed upon misfortune; until the