mous fights under King Haco, and
harried the coasts of Scotland until he gained a foothold there and
founded the Scottish family of the name. The same open, bold
countenance of the Admiral, the same frank and manly bearing, showed
him to be a sailor and a fighter.

"Hello, Frisby," said he, shaking my hand cordially. "With the dove so
near I knew that the hawk would not be far away."

I stammered out, as the landlord smiled, that I was forced to come to
Chestertown to avoid the man-of-war lying off Rock Hall.

"She is off Rock Hall, is she? Well, I shall have to chase her away
with the Defence next week. But is that your only excuse for coming
so far out of your way?"

And when I protested that it was, he laughed genially, and, turning to
the landlord, said: "He does not look like a knight-errant who flies
to the rescue of maids, and Tory maids at that, does he? But see here,
youngster, since you have brought this little traitress into my
household, you will have to do your share in converting her to the
true principles of liberty and democracy."

"Keep that for the men, Captain," cried the landlord. "Keep that for
the men; the women give us no peace, as it is, and if they once get
those notions there will be no living with them."

"Ah, you old reprobate, you had better not let your wife hear you."

With this we left the inn, and going through some quiet streets, we at
last came to Water Street, with its square brick houses, gardens and
flowers, and green lawns leading to the river. Very substantial were
the buildings, quaint and old-fashioned. A number of white steps led
from the street to the porch of the Captain's house. When, at his
motion, I opened the door and stepped into the hall, which was
somewhat dark after the glare of the street, there came a flurry of
lace, and soft arms were around my neck. And--well, what could a man
do but return that kiss with interest? But the best things are but
fleeting, for, when she glanced at my face, and saw who I was, she
gave a little cry, broke from my arms, and vanished in confusion up
the stairway, followed by the merry laughter of the real uncle, not
the proxy.

"You surely cannot object to that welcome, Frisby; but I must tell
Mistress Jean to be more careful, or the army will lose a promising
officer. They will not be able to keep you away from the town if this
keeps on."

So saying, he led the way to the rear porch where it overlooked the
lawn and the river.