"There's my drawin's," he began. "No one but meself ever sot eyes upon
'em before."

"You didn't even show them to your parents or sister?" the girl asked
in surprise, as she looked upon the first drawing presented to view.

"Indeed I didn't. They'd only make fun of me if I did. I hate to be
laughed at, don't you? It riles one all up."

"It does sometimes," the girl acknowledged. "But, then, it is better
not to mind what people say or do, but just go on with our work. Why,
what nice drawings you have here. I can hardly believe you did them
yourself without anyone to teach you."

Eben made no reply, but his eyes shone with complete satisfaction. The
girl was seated at the table and he was standing by her side. A thrill
of joy possessed him such as he had never experienced before. This
beautiful girl appreciated his drawings, and that was enough.

The sketches were crude, but they showed considerable signs of promise,
and this Jess realised as she carefully examined them. One bridge,
especially, arrested her attention, the one which spanned the falls.

"You must have made a long study of this," she remarked, "I recognised
it at once."

"I did, Miss. I spent a whole day there once, an' every time we go
under it I see something new. I ain't got it quite right yit."

For a few minutes the girl examined the drawings without speaking.
There was a far-away look in her eyes when at length she pushed the
book a little from her.

"Your drawings are remarkably good, considering everything," she told
him. "But how would you like for me to give you some lessons?"

"How would I like it?" Eben gasped in amazement. "You give me lessons
in drawin'!"

"And why not? We shall have time, I am sure, and I have not yet
forgotten all I learned."

"Oh, it would be great! But what about dad? I'm afraid he won't let
ye. He might think it will spoil me from bein' a captain some day. He
wants me to study navigation, or something like that, which I hate."

Before any reply could be made, a slight shock was heard against the
side of the boat which startled them both. The girl sprang to her
feet, and looked up the stairway. Then the sound of footsteps was
heard upon the deck above.

"They are after me!" she gasped. "Oh, where can I hide?"

"Stay right here," Eben ordered, as he leaped toward the stairs. "I'll
fix 'em."

His foot had barely touched the first step when his father's body
bulked large in the doo