rope?" said Wort, grinning.

"Tut, tut, boy! come down the rope! Didn't I say so plain as day? and if I
didn't, I will now."

Wort found a rope, made one end fast to the rail, and then, throwing the
other end down to Simes, safely lowered himself into the stern of the
light-keeper's boat. In fifteen minutes more Wort was at home, to the
surprise and joy of his parents.

The club boys heard about Wort's experience, and had a word to say
concerning it.

"I say, Wort," asked Charlie, "how do you like going to sea?"

"Did you catch any waleths?" inquired Pip.

"What did the mermaids say to you?" asked the governor.

"It is the last of your going to sea, Wort. You will have to be a
land-lubber," said Sid.

This last remark touched Wort.

"No, sir! See if I don't go to sea." And go he did. Skipper Wentworth
thought it would be pleasant to have Wort's company the first voyage,
which would terminate the latter part of the year.

Mrs. Wentworth had every thing in readiness for her boy's comfort by the
time the vessel sailed.

"What is her name?" he asked his father.

He only replied, "I want to surprise the club you belong to." One day, to
the delight of the boys, he showed them the name painted in conspicuous
letters on the stern, "White Shield." It was a mild autumn day when the
"White Shield" went to sea. The club boys gathered on a wharf at the foot
of the lane, and watched the vessel drifting down the river. They waved
their handkerchiefs to Wort, who waved his in return. Then they stood and
followed with their eyes the vessel in its flight. She passed Forbes'
Island, passed the light-house, passed Rocky Reef, passed--out of sight.

That day, at twilight, Charlie went to Mr. Walton's house. The clergyman's
mother received a message which Charlie brought from Aunt Stanshy, and
asked him to come in.

"Sit down here," she said, and placed a chair before the open fire kindled
on the edge of the autumn evening. "Sit down, and rest."

"'The 'White Shield' has gone to sea," he remarked, anxious to give the
latest news.

"The 'White Shield'?"

"Haven't you heard about her?"

"No."

"Why, I thought every body knew about the 'White Shield.'"

And did she know that Wort Wentworth had gone to sea in the "White
Shield?" No; she was ignorant of that important fact. How narrow the
circle of her knowledge was!

"I know one thing, though, little boy," said the old lady, "that the sea,
which fascinates so many yo