atisfaction.

"It's a dangerous calling, Darry; but, after all, no worse than that of
a sailor. And while we risk our lives often, it is to try and save
others. There's some satisfaction in that. But there sits Abner on that
old keel of a wreck; suppose you go and tell him your story, and see
what he says."

When the boy joined him Abner Peake looked up, and the solemn expression
on his face changed to one of kindliness.

"Set down, lad. Are yuh feelin' all right agin after your rough time?"
he asked.

"A little sore in the arms still, but that will pass away soon. Mr.
Frazer told me you wanted to hear my story."

"If yuh don't mind tellin' me. I reckoned as how yuh must 'a' had a hard
time. Now, I ain't never been away from this here coast, but I feels
for boys what's out in the wide world. Still, there's some hope o'
_them_ comin' back tuh the nest agin, some day. Now, go on, lad," with a
long-drawn sigh.

Again did the homeless Darry start in to narrate his brief career, so
far as it was known to him; and the old surfman listened with a tear in
his eye, as he told of his abandonment in a foreign port, and the hard
time he had getting enough to eat.

Finally it was all told, and Abner Peake laid a hand on his arm, saying:

"Don't say yuh ain't got a home, any more, Darry, if so be yuh'd care to
stay at my place. The missus ain't the easiest one in the world tuh get
along with, but soon as she sees what a likely chap yuh be I know she'll
like yuh, same as I do. Try it awhile, lad, until yuh kin make your mind
up. My Joe used tuh make a tidy lot of money trappin' animals in the
swamp for ther skins, huntin' turkles like them terrapin they pay sech a
big price fur, an' actin' as guide fur the shooters as come down along
the coast after ducks and snipe and bay birds. No reason but what you
could do the same. Only try and git on the good side of the ole woman,
to begin with, lad. She's got a heart, tho' there's some as don't
believe it. I know she's still a feelin' bad because Joe was taken from
us."

"It was hard to lose him, your only boy," said Darry, consolingly.

The man shook his head dolefully, and bent a wistful look toward the
open sea.

"Yes, it was tough; but I reckon he's safe in the harbor long afore now.
What say, lad, be yuh of a mind to try it with us?" he continued
eagerly.

"I will, and only glad of the chance. It is kind of you to make me the
offer, and I only hope I may be able to please