be a station somewhere, and men. And ships must visit the station. Some
Government must protect all these seals. But I wish to have you
comfortable before I start."

"I should like to go with you," was all she said.

"It would be better if you remained. You have had enough of hardship.
It is a miracle that you have survived. And it won't be comfortable in
the boat rowing and sailing in this rainy weather. What you need is
rest, and I should like you to remain and get it."

Something suspiciously akin to moistness dimmed her beautiful eyes before
she dropped them and partly turned away her head.

"I should prefer going with you," she said in a low voice, in which there
was just a hint of appeal.

"I might be able to help you a--" her voice broke,--"a little. And if
anything should happen to you, think of me left here alone."

"Oh, I intend being very careful," I answered. "And I shall not go so
far but what I can get back before night. Yes, all said and done, I
think it vastly better for you to remain, and sleep, and rest and do
nothing."

She turned and looked me in the eyes. Her gaze was unfaltering, but
soft.

"Please, please," she said, oh, so softly.

I stiffened myself to refuse, and shook my head. Still she waited and
looked at me. I tried to word my refusal, but wavered. I saw the glad
light spring into her eyes and knew that I had lost. It was impossible
to say no after that.

The wind died down in the afternoon, and we were prepared to start the
following morning. There was no way of penetrating the island from our
cove, for the walls rose perpendicularly from the beach, and, on either
side of the cove, rose from the deep water.

Morning broke dull and grey, but calm, and I was awake early and had the
boat in readiness.

"Fool! Imbecile! Yahoo!" I shouted, when I thought it was meet to
arouse Maud; but this time I shouted in merriment as I danced about the
beach, bareheaded, in mock despair.

Her head appeared under the flap of the sail.

"What now?" she asked sleepily, and, withal, curiously.

"Coffee!" I cried. "What do you say to a cup of coffee? hot coffee?
piping hot?"

"My!" she murmured, "you startled me, and you are cruel. Here I have
been composing my soul to do without it, and here you are vexing me with
your vain suggestions."

"Watch me," I said.

From under clefts among the rocks I gathered a few dry sticks and chips.
These I whittled into shavings or spl