is diminutive and
motionless manhood, looking more like a walrus than an eight-year-old
boy, the figure-head of the boat, as it were. Barefoot, and as dirty as
could be, his shirt-tail out on one side and flapping in the wind, his
breast exposed to the sea-air and as tanned and red as the bust of a
statue of mud, he was the admiration of a crowd of little beach-combers,
who had gathered round, hardly a stitch on their bronzed limbs, so lean
and bony from a life-long diet of salt fish.

But what a catch the Rector had made! His boat loaded to the scuppers
with squid, and at thirty cents a pound--you figure it up yourself! The
penniless idlers on shore surveyed the wonder-worker as though a sea of
dollars were pitching and tumbling out there beyond the surf. Chepa came
down with his oxen, and the _Mayflower_ began to climb the beach,
grating along over the runners that had been laid under her bottom.
Pascualo had jumped down from the deck and gone to Dolores, his face
wreathed in smiles at sight of her standing there with her apron caught
up to hold a peck or more of silver coins that represented her cash
sales. Fairly good for two days' work, eh! A few trips like that and
they'd have a pretty pile! And there was a good chance for the luck to
hold! Old _tio_ Batiste knew where the best places were!

But the Rector stopped and looked at his brother. The bandages on the
injured hand had disappeared. So Tonet was in trim again already! That
was good news to add to the good catch! He wouldn't miss the next
sailing now! And he would see some real fishing, I'll tell you! Just the
trouble of hauling them in, with your net full at every shot! "We'll be
going out at sunrise, to-morrow morning, to make the best of this run,
while it lasts!"

Dolores had sold everything; and she asked her husband if he would be
going home. The Rector, however, could not say. He hated to leave the
boat. The crew would be going off and getting drunk, let alone that
bunch of little devils who would strip her clean of everything that
could be carried the moment his back was turned. It would probably keep
him busy till way into the night. If he wasn't home by nine o'clock, she
had better go to bed. Tonet should go and get his pack ready and say
good-by to Rosario; so as to be on the beach an hour before dawn. There
would be no waiting in such times!

Dolores looked at her husband and then at Tonet. She said she would be
going along. Pascualet did not