air walked to the station together that night, and
the enthusiast said, "I pray that my brain may be able to bear this."

"Your fiddlestick, bear this! I wish some one would give me L150,000 to
carry out my pet fad. I'd bear it, and go on bearing it, quite
gallantly, I assure you, my friend."

A very happy pair of people were left to chat in Cassall's drawing-room
as the midnight drew near. Sir James had retired early after the two
good old boys had addressed each other as buccaneers and shellbacks, and
made all sorts of nautical jokes. The discussion as to who should be
admiral promised to supply a month's fun, but Cassall pretended to
remember that Phoenix Sawbones would certainly wish to be commander, on
account of the young puppy's experience.

Marion whispered to her uncle, "I do believe you will make yourself
very happy;" and the old gentleman answered, "It really seems to be more
like a question of making _you_ happy, you little jilt."

The little jilt, who was not much shorter than her uncle, looked demure,
and the _seance_ closed very happily.

Next day, Mr. Cassall began fitting out in a style which threatened an
Arctic voyage of several winters at least; he was artfully encouraged by
the little jilt, and he was so intensely pleased with his yachting
clothes that he wore them in the grounds until he went away, which
proceeding raised unfeigned admiration among the gardeners and the
maids.

CHAPTER IV.

THE DENOUEMENT.

The stout-hearted old gentlemen ran out from the Colne in Blair's
schooner, and Freeman had orders to take the Schelling, Ameland,
Nordeney, and all the other banks in order. I need not go over the
ground again in detail, but I may say that Sir James was never
unobservant; he made the most minute notes and sought to provide against
every difficulty. The bad weather still held, and there were accidents
enough and illness enough, in all conscience. Cassall proposed to hang
somebody for permitting the cabins of the smacks to remain in such a
wildly unsanitary state; but beyond propounding this totally
unpractical suggestion he said little, and contented himself with steady
observation. One day he remarked to Sir James, "A lazy humbug would have
a fine time in our cruiser if he liked. Who, among us landsmen, durst
face weather like this constantly?"

"Yes; I've been thinking of that. You must have a regular masterful
Tartar of a surgeon, and make him bear all responsibility. Pick