n to show indications of muscle covering the bones,
and his vest no longer flapped against him like the topsail of a
Dutchman in a dead calm. Altogether, there was a healthy look about the
old man which gave the impression that he had been into dock, and had a
thorough overhaul.

Enough of weakness remained, however, to induce a feeling of blessed
restfulness in his entire being. The once strong and energetic man had
been brought to the novel condition of being quite willing to leave the
responsibility of the world on other shoulders, and to enjoy the
hitherto unknown luxury of doing nothing at all. So thoroughly had he
abandoned himself in this respect, that he did not even care to speak,
but was satisfied to listen to others, or to gaze at the horizon in
happy contemplation, or to pour on all around looks of calm benignity.

"How do you feel to-day, sir?" asked the mate of the steamer, as he came
on the bridge.

"My strongest feeling," said Captain Bream, "is one of thankfulness to
God that I am so well."

"A good feelin' that doesn't always come as strong as it ought to, or as
one would wish; does it, sir?" said the mate.

"That's true," answered the captain, "but when a man, after bein' so low
that he seems to be bound for the next world, finds the tide risin'
again, the feelin' is apt to come stronger, d'ee see? D'you expect to
make the fleet to-day?"

"Yes, sir, we should make it in the evenin' if the admiral has stuck to
his plans."

The captain became silent again, but after a few minutes, fearing that
the mate might think him unsociable, he said--

"I suppose the admiral is always chosen as being one of the best men of
the fleet?"

"That's the idea, sir, and the one chosen usually _is_ one of the best,
though of course mistakes are sometimes made. The present admiral is a
first-rate man--a thorough-going fisherman, well acquainted with all the
shoals, and a Christian into the bargain."

"Ah, I suppose that is an advantage to the fleet in many respects," said
the captain, brightening up, on finding the mate sympathetic on that
point.

"It is for the advantage of the fleet in _all_ respects, sir. I have
known an ungodly admiral, on a Sunday, when they couldn't fish, an' the
weather was just right for heavin'-to an' going aboard the mission smack
for service--I've known him keep the fleet movin' the whole day, for
nothin' at all but spite. Of course that didn't put any one in a good
humour, a