draining a large area of country, principally wooded,
and these abounded with mink, raccoon, and other fur-bearing animals.
The captain was an expert, and knew the most likely places where game
could be best taken. Rod at times went with him on his regular rounds
to visit the traps, and it was always a great joy to the boy when he
was allowed to carry back some furry prize which had been secured.

Next to these trips, Rod's chief delight was to sit before the big open
fire on a cold or stormy Saturday afternoon, and listen to the captain
as he told stories of his sea life, while he worked fixing up his
traps, making stretchers for the pelts, or doing other odd jobs. How
the boy's heart would thrill, and his eyes sparkle with animation as
Captain Josh told of furious seas he had encountered, the dangers he
had escaped, and the races he had made with other sailing-vessels.
Sometimes he would tell an amusing tale, at which the boy would laugh
in high glee. Often Rod would ask questions about the sailors, the
sea-monsters, and the various ports the captain had visited. Sometimes
they would pore over an old geography, while the captain pointed out
with his big fore-finger the countries he had visited, and the routes
he had taken. Rod was thus so well acquainted with certain countries
that his teacher was much surprised at his knowledge.

It was only natural that people should talk about this strange
friendship between the rough old sea-captain and the little boy. How
their tongues did wag, and many were the visits of protest paid to the
rectory. The principal discussion, however, always took place at the
regular meetings of the Ladies' Aid Society. This was done most of all
for Mrs. Royal's benefit. She knew this, and with much self-restraint
she resisted making any reply for some time. But at one meeting, when
the criticism became extremely severe, she could stand it no longer.
Mrs. Harmon had just been indulging in one of her long dissertations,
and finished by asking the rector's wife if she did not consider it
very unbecoming for a small boy, and a waif at that, with no doubt bad
blood in his veins, to be so much in the company of a rough creature
like Captain Josh. He should be at home, studying his lessons and
learning the Catechism.

"Mrs. Harmon," Mrs. Royal replied as calmly as possible, "I have
listened for some time to the criticisms which you and others have made
about our allowing Rodney to associa