from the main road into a sort of bye-lane, my
conductor finally stopped before the entrance porch of a neat little
cottage, standing in a large garden of its own, that stretched away for
some distance on either side. There was an orchard also in the rear,
the fruit-trees of which, such was the mildness of the season, appeared
ready to break into bud.

"Here's my anchorage, laddie," said he, with a wave of his hand--
indicating the extent of his property.

"What a jolly little place!" I exclaimed.

"Yes," he replied, with pardonable pride, "I set my heart on the little
cabin years ago--afore I left the navy--and I used to save up my pay and
prize money, so as to buy it in time. I meant it for mother, but she
died before I could manage it; and then I bought it for myself, thinking
that Jane and I would live here until we should be summoned for the
watch on deck above, and that arter our time Teddy, my nephew, Jane's
only boy, would have it. But, not long arter we settled down comfably,
poor Teddy caught a fever, which carried him off; and Jane and I have
gone on alone, ever since, with only our two selves."

"You must miss your nephew Teddy," I said, sympathisingly, seeing a
grave look on his face.

"Yes, laddie, I did miss him very much, but now, my cockbird," and here
his face brightened up with another beaming smile, as he laid a meaning
emphasis on his words, "but now I fancy, somehow or other, I'll not miss
Teddy as much as I used to; d'ye know why?"

"No," I said, hesitatingly, and somewhat untruthfully, for I pretty well
guessed what he meant.

"Then I'll tell you," he continued, with much feeling and heartiness of
expression, "I've christened this here anchorage o' mine, `Old Calabar,'
in mem'ry o' the West Coast, where I sarved under your father in the
_Swallow_, as I told you just now; and, Master Leigh, as his son, I hope
you'll always consider the little shanty as your home, free to come and
go or stay, just as you choose, and ever open to you with a welcome the
same as now?"

What could I say to this?

Why, nothing.

I declare that I couldn't have uttered a word then to have saved my
life.

But he did not want any thanks.

Pretending not to notice my emotion, he went on speaking, so as to allow
me time to recover myself.

"Rec'lect this, laddie," said he, "that my sister Jane and I have
neither chick nor child belonging to either of us, and that your
presence will be like sunshine in th