.

Calling the chambermaid to attend to those up stairs, he returned to the
public parlor, where he piled up the wood again.

"What under the sun are you doing, Leopold?" demanded his father, while
he was thus occupied.

"Making fires," replied the son, vigorously. "I have kindled five up
stairs."

"But what under--"

"Never mind now, father," interposed Leopold. "Fifteen folks from New
York will be here pretty soon, and you must be ready for them."

"Fifteen!" exclaimed the landlord, who had been mourning over the fog,
which promised to deprive him of the few guests who might otherwise come
over to Rockhaven in the steamer.

"Yes, sir, fifteen; and they are Mr. Hamilton's party."

"Good gracious!" exclaimed the astonished and delighted proprietor of
the Sea Cliff House.

"But I must go down to the wharf, and help get them ashore," continued
Leopold, so excited that he could hardly speak. "They are cold and wet,
and want good fires."

"I'll see to the fires Leopold. But where in the world did they come
from in this fog?"

"They came in a yacht. I went off about two miles from the ledges after
cod and haddock, and picked them up there. They had been knocking about
in the fog for twenty-four hours. I brought the yacht into the river,
and Mr. Hamilton gave me thirty dollars for pilot's fees. Here's the
money, father."

"But, Leopold," added the landlord, as he involuntarily took the bills,
"this is your money, and--"

"Never mind, father. We mustn't stop to talk about it now," interposed
the son, vehemently. "If you will have the house ready, I will go and
bring up the folks. Send the wagon down to the wharf as quick as you
can."

Leopold waited for nothing more, but ran down to the wharf as fast as
his legs would carry him, and arrived almost out of breath. To his
astonishment, he found quite a number of people gathered there, for it
had just been discovered that a large yacht had anchored in the river.
Squire Moses and Ethan Wormbury were there, the latter to look out for
the interests of the Island Hotel. Leopold borrowed a skiff belonging to
Mr. Bangs, and pulled off to the Orion. Both of her boats had been
lowered from the davits, and hauled up at the accommodation steps, in
readiness to convey the ladies and gentlemen to the shore.

"We are all ready for you at the Sea Cliff House, Mr. Hamilton," said
Leopold, us he stepped upon the deck.

"Shall we find a good fire in the parlor?" asked the ex-