this new experience, their involuntary
seclusion of the first days of the trip, and their consequent
unconventional and irregular acceptance of Mrs. Cliff's hospitality, had
caused a little stiffness in their demeanor at first, this speedily
disappeared, hand in hand with the recollection of that most easily
forgotten of human ills which had so rudely interfered with their good
manners.

As far as the resources of their portmanteaus would allow, these
reverend clergymen dressed themselves simply and in semi-nautical
costumes. Some played quoits upon the upper deck, in which sport Willy
joined. Others climbed up the shrouds, preferably on the inside,--this
method of exercise, although very difficult, being considered safer in
case of a sudden lurch of the vessel. And the many other sportive things
they did, and the many pleasant anecdotes they told, nearly all relating
to the discomfiture of clergymen under various embarrassing
circumstances, caused Captain Burke to say to Mrs. Cliff that he had
never imagined that parsons were such jolly fellows, and so far as he
was concerned, he would be glad to take out another party of them.

"But if we do," he said, "I think we'd better ship them on a tug and let
them cruise around the Lightship for two or three days. Then when they
hoisted a signal that they were all well on board, we could go out and
take them off. In that way, you see, they'd really enjoy a cruise on the
_Summer Shelter_."

As the sun went down behind the distant coast of Florida they were
boarded by a negro pilot, and in the morning they awoke to find
themselves fast to a pier of the city of Nassau, lying white in the
early daylight.

The members of the Synod had readily agreed to Mrs. Cliff's plan to
leave them at Nassau and let them return by a regular passenger steamer,
and they all preferred to go by sea to Savannah and then to their homes
by rail. With expenses paid, none but the most unreasonable of men could
have objected to such a plan.

As Captain Burke announced that he would stop at Nassau for a day to
take in some fresh stores, especially of fruit and vegetables, and to
give Mrs. Cliff and Willy Croup an opportunity to see the place, the
_Summer Shelter_ was soon deserted. But in the evening, everybody
returned on board, as the company wished to keep together as long as
possible, and there would be plenty of time in the morning for the
members of the Synod to disembark and go to the hotel.