he left the shore,
crossed the field, and entered the forest at the back of the
grand-stand. Here a trail led off to the left, and after a few
minutes' walk they came to a little brook gurgling down through the
forest. Tall trees formed an arch over the water, birds twittered and
sang, while a squirrel high up on a branch scolded noisily at the
intruders. A few rods along the brook brought into view a grassy spot
under the shade of a large maple tree. As the three strangers looked,
their eyes opened wide with surprise, for there before them was a
tempting repast spread upon a fair white linen cloth.

"Sit down, gentlemen," the captain ordered, "while I make tea."

"This is great!" the Governor exclaimed, as he seated himself upon the
ground, and leaned back against the bole of the tree.

"It certainly is," the Judge assented. "It reminds me of my boyhood
days. This is good of you," and he turned to the captain, "to take all
this trouble for us."

"It's only a pleasure, I assure yez," the captain returned. "Much
nicer than the steamer, eh? Fall to, now. Ye'll find them trout
rather good. Caught them myself in the brook. Betsey'll be right
pleased if ye'll try her biscuit and pie. She was afraid they wouldn't
be good. Have some tea, sir?" and he held the tea-pot over the
Governor's cup. "Not too strong, eh? That's good. Ye'll find cream
and sugar right there. Help yerselves, now, and don't be backward."

"Well, that's the best meal I've had in a long time," the Senator
remarked, as he finished, and drew forth his cigar case and passed it
around. "You didn't do all this yourself, did you, captain?"

"Should say not," was the reply. "Betsey, that's my woman, did the
cookin', but Miss Royanna helped me fix things up here. It was her
idea, not mine."

"Miss Royanna, did you say?" the Governor queried. "It seems to me
I've heard that name before."

"Sure ye have. She's the great singer. Anna Royanna, she's generally
called. She's livin' with us fer awhile. Greatest woman out."

"Strange," the Governor mused. Then he shot a swift glance toward the
secretary, but that young man was staring hard at the captain.

"There is certainly some tone to all this," and the Judge gave a hearty
laugh. "We little expected to have our dinner served by such a noted
person, and to be waited upon by a worthy sea-captain, did we, sir?"
and he turned toward the Governor.

But the latter had risen to his fee