Devon air, Nic was rambling through the combe with Pete,
both pretty well strong again, when the latter said:

"I want to be zet to work now, Master Nic, or to be zent away; for I
feel as if I ought to be doing zomething, instead of idling about here."

"You've talked like that before, Pete," said Nic, smiling. "Have a
little patience, and then you shall begin."

"But it zeems zo long, zir. I zay, though, it's rather queer, isn't it,
for me to be water bailiff and keeper over the vish as I used to take.
Think Humpy Dee and them others will get away and come back again?"

"I hope so," said Nic slowly and thoughtfully. "They deserved their
punishment, but they will have had enough by now."

"Nay, you're a bit too easy, Master Nic. Humpy's a down bad one, and I
should like the others to have one year more out yonder, and Humpy too."

"Too long for white slaves, Pete," said Nic. "We have suffered with
them, and know what the sufferings are; so I forgive them. What say
you?"

"Zame as you do, Master Nic; o' course, that is, if they don't come back
and meddle with our zalmon again--_our zalmon_! That zounds queer,
Master Nic, don't it? I can't quite feel as if it's all true."

"But it is true, Pete; and we are here safe in the good old home, after
what seems now like an ugly dream."

"Dinner-bell's rung twice, Master Nic," said William Solly, coming upon
them suddenly from behind the trees; "and you can't 'spect to get your
strength up proper if you aren't reg'lar at the mess. I run out to look
for you, to keep the skipper from--Well, there now--if he aren't come to
look for you hisself! Give him a shout, and say you're coming."

Nic hailed, and hurried back to meet the old officer, while William
Solly turned to Pete:

"Come along, messmet; the beef and soft tack's waiting. And so you're
going to stop here altogether!"

"I s'pose so," said Pete.

"And we're to be messmets reg'lar sarving under Captain Revel and Master
Nic?"

"That's it," said Pete sturdily.

"Well," said Solly, "I aren't jealous, for you did the right thing by
the young master; so let's shake hands."

This was solemnly done, and Solly went on:

"As good a skipper as ever stepped a deck, and as fine a boy as ever
breathed. Pete, messmet, you've dropped into a snug thing."

"Which that zame I know," said Pete gruffly.

"But you saved Master Nic's life, and the skipper's too, by bringing the
young master back; and I'm glad you