nets; here the Briggses gained a decided advantage--they wore
feathers.

'How d'ye do, dear?' said the Misses Briggs to the Misses Taunton. (The
word 'dear' among girls is frequently synonymous with 'wretch.')

'Quite well, thank you, dear,' replied the Misses Taunton to the Misses
Briggs; and then, there was such a kissing, and congratulating, and
shaking of hands, as might have induced one to suppose that the two
families were the best friends in the world, instead of each wishing the
other overboard, as they most sincerely did.

Mr. Percy Noakes received the visitors, and bowed to the strange
gentleman, as if he should like to know who he was. This was just what
Mrs. Taunton wanted. Here was an opportunity to astonish the Briggses.

'Oh! I beg your pardon,' said the general of the Taunton party, with a
careless air.--'Captain Helves--Mr. Percy Noakes--Mrs. Briggs--Captain
Helves.'

Mr. Percy Noakes bowed very low; the gallant captain did the same with
all due ferocity, and the Briggses were clearly overcome.

'Our friend, Mr. Wizzle, being unfortunately prevented from coming,'
resumed Mrs. Taunton, 'I did myself the pleasure of bringing the captain,
whose musical talents I knew would be a great acquisition.'

'In the name of the committee I have to thank you for doing so, and to
offer you welcome, sir,' replied Percy. (Here the scraping was renewed.)
'But pray be seated--won't you walk aft? Captain, will you conduct Miss
Taunton?--Miss Briggs, will you allow me?'

'Where could they have picked up that military man?' inquired Mrs. Briggs
of Miss Kate Briggs, as they followed the little party.

'I can't imagine,' replied Miss Kate, bursting with vexation; for the
very fierce air with which the gallant captain regarded the company, had
impressed her with a high sense of his importance.

Boat after boat came alongside, and guest after guest arrived. The
invites had been excellently arranged: Mr. Percy Noakes having considered
it as important that the number of young men should exactly tally with
that of the young ladies, as that the quantity of knives on board should
be in precise proportion to the forks.

'Now, is every one on board?' inquired Mr. Percy Noakes. The committee
(who, with their bits of blue ribbon, looked as if they were all going to
be bled) bustled about to ascertain the fact, and reported that they
might safely start.

'Go on!' cried the master of the boat from the top of one of the