meward as well as he
could with a foul wind, having to make several tacks before fetching the
cutter's moorings off the coastguard-station.

In spite of this, however, they reached "the Moorings" in time for
dinner; when, notwithstanding their hearty luncheon, no deficiency of
appetite could be observed in any of the party.

Bob and Nellie were, of course, delighted with their experiences of the
day; for, in addition to the joys of trawling and festive picnic on the
water, which they thought even better than their previous one on land,
they brought home a splendid "soldier crab," who caused much subsequent
amusement when admitted to the aquarium, two new specimens of sea-
anemones, and the "dead man's fingers," whose name made their aunt Polly
shiver, the good lady declaring it "quite uncanny, sure."

Their mother, however, was not quite so well-pleased with the result of
the expedition.

"There, I told you so!" she exclaimed, on catching sight of them, with
the stains of the cuttle-fish plainly visible on their clothes. "You
will never wish to wear this suit again, Bob; and, dear, dear, look at
your dress, Nellie!"

"It's not so bad, mamma," pleaded she. "I only got a little of it."

"A little of what?"

"The Tyrian dye, Captain Dresser called it, from the cuttle-fish,"
explained Bob, who seemed to treat the matter more lightly than the
spoiling of his shirt-front and jacket deserved in Mrs Strong's
opinion. "It's quite classical, mother--so the Captain said when I got
squelched with it."

"Really, I wish Captain Dresser would not make experiments with his dyes
when you two are near him," said she, very plaintively. "He hasn't to
look after your clothes, as I have."

Nell smiled at her mother's mistake, while Master Bob fairly screeched
with laughter.

"Why, it wasn't the Captain who did it," he shouted out gleefully. "It
was the cuttle-fish that squirted over us."

Then, on the whole story being told her, Mrs Strong exonerated the
Captain.

But not so Mrs Gilmour, when she learnt the history of the soles, which
had been specially set aside for her and afterwards eaten.

"Oh, you cormorants!" she cried, pretending to be in a great rage.
"Fancy eating my soles! Did you ever hear of such a thing? Captain
Dresser, I'll never forgive you!"

"Don't be so hard-hearted," said he imploringly. "If you only knew how
hungry we were, I'm sure you would forgive us with your usual good-
nature."

"I'm no