hese hatches."

He was down on his knees with the boy unfastening them, while the mate,
having lit a lantern, ran forward to rouse the men. The _Frolic_ was now
but twenty yards astern.

"Ahoy! schooner, ahoy!" bawled Wilson, running suddenly to the side.

"Halloa!" came a hoarse voice.

"Are you full up?" shouted the master of the _Seamew_.

"No," came the roar again.

"Drop your anchor and come alongside," shouted the skipper, "I've got to
stay here another week, and I've got a dozen barrels o' herring must be
in London before then."

The Frolic was abreast of them, and he held his breath with suspense.

"It won't take you half an hour," he shouted anxiously.

The grating of the cable was music in his ears as it ran out, and hardly
able to believe in the success of his scheme he saw the crew taking in
the sail they had just begun to set. Ten minutes later the _Frolic_ was
rubbing against his side.

The hatches were off the _Seamew_, and a lantern swinging in her hold
shed a sickly light upon the sleepy faces of her crew. The mate was at
the foc'sle whispering instructions to Annis.

"Look alive," said the master of the _Frolic_, "I'll just take 'em on
deck for the present."

He came fussily to the side to superintend, gazing curiously at Annis,
who was standing watching the operations.

"What a nice ship!" she said. "May I come on board?"

"You're quite welcome if you don't get in the way," was the reply.

Accepting this qualified permission, Annis stepped on board and walked
quietly round the deck. At the companion she paused and looked round.
Everybody was busy; and trembling with nervousness, she hesitated a
moment and then descended into the dark cabin.

"That you, captain?" said a voice. "What are we stopping for?"

Annis made no reply.

"Who is it?" said the voice again.

"Hush!" said Annis.

"Oh, all right," said Mr. Tillotson shortly. "What's wrong?"

Annis hesitated, waiting to hear another voice, but in vain. She fancied
that she heard another person breathing, but that was all.

"Father!" she cried, suddenly. "It's me! Annis! Where are you?"

There was a great shout from the other side of the cabin, and in the
gloom she saw something spring up and come towards her. Something which
caught her in a mighty grasp and crushed her soft face against a long,
stiff beard. Laughing and crying together she put her arms about its
neck and clung to it convulsively.

"There, there, my lass!"