rments were hung up to dry the best they could,
though it is a hard job when clothes have been in salt water.

Then, with a tin pail Nick set out to gather his beloved shellfish,
signs of which had been noted near by.

In half an hour he had deposited three pails of what seemed to be very
fair bivalves in a pile near the fire.

"Set some of the others to work opening them, Josh," Nick observed.
"My fingers are too sore for the job. Besides, I've done my part,
seems like, in getting the crop gathered."

Jack and Jimmy took hold, and with the oyster knives soon began to fill
a receptacle with the contents of the shells.

Nick was busying himself whacking a few open on the side, "just to test
them," as he said; for they noticed that he made no contributions to
the general fund.

"A trifle salty, but just prime," the judge of oysters remarked,
several times, as he devoured a fat one. "This is worth coming for,
boys. The coast for me every time, when you can get such treats as
this. Think I gathered enough? Want any more, Josh?"

"Oh! hould up!" cried Jimmy, whose fingers were getting sore from the
various cuts received from the sharp edges. "Sure, we've got enough
for a rigiment, so we have. Just ate up the balance yoursilf, and stow
your gab, Nick."

A short time later, Jack, who had been rummaging around aboard the
_Tramp_, called out:

"Anybody see my old coat lying around loose?"

At that, Jimmy uttered a startled cry and jumped up.

"Glory be!" he exclaimed. "I forgot all about that, Jack, darlint. It
must have been your coat that wint overboard in the inlet, and sank,
while I was shootin' the murderous shark. And by the powers, that is
too bad, beca'se it had that bally ould paper missage in it ye was to
deliver to Van Arsdale Spence at Beaufort!"

The other boys echoed the disconsolate cry of Jimmy, and looked at
Jack, as if they felt the greatest pity for him in his unfortunate loss.

CHAPTER XII.

THE CAMP UNDER CAPE CHARLES LIGHT.

"Say, he don't look bothered a teenty bit!" exclaimed Josh, surprised
because Jack seemed so free from care.

"And look at him, would you!" burst out Herb; "why, blessed if he ain't
grinning right now, to beat the band!"

"Here, own up, Jack, old boy, what's got you? Didn't you care much
whether you ever got that mysterious packet into the hands of this
Spence fellow?" demanded George.

"To be sure, I did; and do yet," replied Jack; "but that's no