s."

"No, uncle, since you came and fetched me from that miserable school,
and said, `don't cry, my man; you're my own brother's boy, and as long
as I live I'll be a father to you.'"

"Did I say them words, Will? Was they the very words?"

"Yes, uncle," cried the lad, flushing; "the very words;" and he laid his
hand affectionately on the old man's shoulder.

"Ah! well, and very proper words too, I suppose," said the old man; "and
I did mean to be, lad; but you see I never had no experience of being a
father, and I'm afraid I've made a mess of it."

"You've always been like the kindest of fathers to me, uncle," said Will
warmly.

"And she's always been the kindest of mothers, like, my lad. Lor' bless
you, Will, my boy, it's only tongue. Splendid craft your aunt is, only
she's overweighted with engine, and her bilers is a bit too big.
Tongue's safety-valve, Will, and I never sit on it, my lad. Make things
worse. Burst."

"Yes, uncle, I see," said Will, with a sad smile.

"You're all right, my lad. I didn't care to send you in the Ryle Navee,
so I did the next best thing, made a sailor of you in a lugger. She's
mine now with all her craft of nets--leastwise she's aunt's, for she
keeps the accounts; but some day when I'm sewn up and dropped overboard
out of the world, the lugger'll all be yours; only if I go first, Will,"
he whispered, drawing the lad closer to him, "never mind the bit of a
safety-valve as fizzles and whistles and snorts; be kind, lad, to your
aunt."

"I don't want the lugger," cried Will, laying his hands on the old man's
shoulders. "I want my dear old uncle to stop, and see him enjoy his
pipe, and I won't take a hit of notice--"

"Of the safety-valve, Will?"

"No, uncle; but I want to get on," cried the lad excitedly. "I'm tired
of being a burden to you, uncle, and--"

"Hasn't that boy changed his things yet?"

"Right, Ruth, my dear," cried the old purser loudly, assuming his old
sea lingo. "Here, you, sir, how much longer are you going to stand
jawing there. Heave ahead and get into a fresh rig with you."

Here he winked and frowned tremendously at Will, giving one of his hands
a tremendous squeeze, and the lad ran upstairs.

The lugger was not to put out again till evening, when the soft breeze
would be blowing, and the last rays of the sun be ready to glorify sea,
sky, and the sails and cordage of the fishing-boats as they stole softly
out to the fishing-ground for the nig