epth of several feet, on which the grass
grew. It was not far above the water even at high tide, nor were the
bluffs very bold. The plateau was on a peninsula, extending to the north
from the island, which was not unlike the head of a turtle, and the
shape had given it a name. Donald walked back and forth on the headland,
watching for the fleet.

"I wonder if Laud Cavendish was digging for clams up here," thought he,
as he observed a spot where the earth appeared to have been disturbed.

The marks of Laud's clam-digger were plainly to be seen in the loam, a
small quantity of which remained on the sod. Certainly the swell had
been digging there; but it could not have been for clams; and Donald was
trying to imagine what it was for, when he heard footsteps near him.
Coming towards him, he discovered Captain Shivernock, of the city; and
he had two problems to solve instead of one; not very important ones, it
is true, but just such as are suggested to everybody at times. Perhaps
it did not make the least difference to the young man whether or not he
ascertained why Laud Cavendish had been digging on the Head, or why
Captain Shivernock happened to be on the island, apparently without any
boat, at that time in the morning. I do not think Donald would have
given a nickel five-cent piece to have been informed correctly upon
either point, though he did propose the question to himself in each
case. Probably Laud had no particular object in view in digging--the
ground did not look as though he had; and Captain Shivernock was odd
enough to do anything, or to be anywhere, at the most unseasonable
hours.

"How are you, Don John?" shouted the captain, as he came within hailing
distance of Donald.

"How do you do, Captain Shivernock," replied the young man, rather
coldly, for he had no regard, and certainly no admiration, for the man.

"You are just the man I wanted to see," added the captain.

Donald could not reciprocate the sentiment, and, not being a hypocrite,
he made no reply. The captain seemed to be somewhat fatigued and out of
breath, and immediately seated himself on the flat rock which the young
man had occupied. He was not more than five feet and a half high, but
was tolerably stout. The top of his head was as bald as a winter squash;
but extending around the back of his head from ear to ear was a heavy
fringe of red hair. His whiskers were of the same color; but, as age
began to bleach them out under the chin, he sha