"Ye little specimint!" he called, "what ye mean by burrowin' in the sand
an' scarin' one of the government officials clar out o' common sense?
Come here, ye varmint!"

"My Cap'n!" The strong young arms were about the rugged neck. "You were
just going to send up a Coston light, now weren't you, Daddy?"

"No. I war not! I don't waste nary a Coston on a wuthless little hulk
like ye. Come on, girl, I've been takin' it easy. I ain't as young as I
once was. We must make the halfway in season. 'T ain't the fust time
we've took the patrol together, is it, Janet?"

He held the girl's hand in his, and she accommodated her step as nearly
as possible to his long, swinging gait.

"Kinder homesick?" he asked presently.

"Kind of you-sick! I wanted to be near you. I wanted--you," Janet
whispered.

"Durned little cozzler!" chuckled Billy. "I know what yer up t'. Ain't
got nothin' t' do yet, over on the mainland; just a lazy little tormint;
an' ye want t' cozzen yer Cap'n Billy. Why can't ye jine the army that's
plain fleecin' the city folks? They be the easiest biters, 'cordin' t'
what I hear, that has ever run in t' these shoals. Reg'lar dogfish one
an' all."

"Oh! I pick up a penny now and then;" Janet pursed her pretty mouth and
set her head sideways. "I made enough to pay Susan Jane for last week
and this. Susan's an old leech, Cap'n Billy. It's simply awful to see
her greed in money matters. Sitting in her chair, she can manage to want
more, strive to get more, and make more fuss about it, than any other
woman on the mainland. You have to live with Susan Jane to appreciate
her. Oh! poor Davy. We never really knew what a hero he is, Daddy. He's
splendid!"

It had been necessary, unless Susan Jane was to receive double pay for
her boarder, that Janet should inform Billy as to her money-getting; but
once the fact was stated, the girl hurried to other thoughts, in order
to divert Billy.

"How'd ye get yer money, Janet?" A serious look came into the man's
face. "It's uncommon clever of ye t' help yerself on; if the money only
comes in a God-fearin' way!"

"Cap'n Daddy!" Janet drew herself up magnificently. "Do you take me for
Maud Grace?"

"No, I don't, I'm takin' ye fur _my_ gal, an' it's my duty t' see that
ye don't furgit yer trainin' over on the boarder-struck mainland! But
what's wrong 'long o' Mrs. Jo G.'s gal?"

"Nothing. Except she keeps dressed up to entertain the boarders, and
takes tips. That's what she cal