ch, their
convalescence could have been no more agreeable in the midst of
civilization. And as Barry gained strength, yet before Jerry Rolfe was
allowed in to worry him about the ship, he found himself and Natalie,
Little and Mrs. Goring, pairing off in their slow rambles, and once more
awkwardness of speech descended upon him like a wet blanket. He had
caught a suggestive look on Little's face, and an answering smile on
Mrs. Goring's, that told him as plainly as words that his opportunity
was thus given to him.

So, while his heart burst with sentiment, and his arms ached to take
Natalie in them, his tongue declined its office and left him a gaping,
speechless sailor. Natalie did not help him either; for as his
awkwardness increased, he sensed at first, then saw, that she was
consumed with some powerful emotion that certainly was not love for him.
Then he surprised her regarding him with fixed attention, when he had
turned away to gather a flower for her hair; and in a flash he saw what
her emotion was. It was dull, rankling uncertainty, and all the lover
fled from him, leaving only the keen sailor with a keen sailor's sense.

"Miss Sheldon, I was just going to call you Natalie and tell you
something very near to my heart," he blurted out. "I'm going to forget
that, now, and wait until you get what's troubling you off your mind."

"Why, Captain Barry!" she cried, blushing furiously, "whatever do you
mean? There is nothing troubling me, except the trouble that has come
upon this peaceful little station."

"I beg your pardon, but there is," persisted Barry bluntly. "You still
doubt me and my business and feel that I have painted Leyden black out
of spite. Now, if Vandersee and Mrs. Goring and the rest can't convince
you, I'm going to let you see it for yourself when the time comes. Let
me tell you one thing, though; if Leyden were on the square, he'd be
down at his ship seeing about getting her out of this hole. You don't
see him around, do you?"

"No!" the girl cried hotly. "Of course we don't. What is the use of Mr.
Leyden staying here when your ship blocks him in? He told me he was
going to the other side of the island for official help."

"Official help!" gasped Barry, peering hard into the girl's eyes, in
amazement at her utter belief. "He told you! Why, he can get all the
official help right here, any time Vandersee's around. He don't dare,
though. What did he sink my ship for?"

"He would dare, I know, if