me into this
harbor I was informed of the fact, and you may judge my surprise when I
saw The Starry Flag. I will not tell you what I feared when I
recognized her, for all that passed away when I saw Bessie on the
deck;" and the devoted father clasped her in his arms again.

The party landed. In a few moments they reached the hotel, and Bessie
was folded in the embrace of her mother.

CHAPTER XXVI.

CONCLUSION.

Mrs. Watson wept tears of joy over her lost child, now restored to her.
Mrs. McGilvery declared that the pleasure of witnessing such a joyful
meeting was worth a voyage half round the world, or, indeed, all the
way round the world.

"Well, Levi, what shall we do next?" asked Mr. Watson, when the young
skipper had been thanked and extolled by the ladies till his cheeks
burned with blushes.

"Go home, I suppose, sir, unless the ladies desire to settle here,"
replied Levi.

"Doubtless we shall go home," added Mr. Watson; "but how shall we do
it? I think the ladies will not care to be kept on board of the yacht
for three months or more."

"I will do what I can to make them comfortable if they will return in
The Starry Flag; but that is saying only a little."

"You would arrive on the coast of the United States in the middle of
the winter, and you will see many heavy storms, and much bad weather,"
suggested Mr. Watson.

"Yes, sir; it was bad enough coming out here, especially after we left
the Cape of Good Hope; but it would be worse returning. I cannot
honestly advise them to go back in the yacht, glad as I should be of
their company;" and Levi glanced at Bessie. "I think they had better go
by the way you came."

"I am very clear of that," added Mr. Watson. "But, Levi, I can't bear
the idea of your knocking about for three or four months, perhaps six,
in such a small vessel."

"It won't hurt me any. I rather like it," laughed Levi. "I will have a
stove put up in the cabin for use when we get into the cold region, and
we shall be as comfortable as a bug in a rug."

"I'll tell you my plan, Levi. I can sell the yacht, and you can return
with us by steamer."

"Sell The Starry Flag!" exclaimed Levi. "I should as soon think of
selling my mother, if I had one. I love her, after the good service she
has done, and I don't think any builder could get up another as good as
she is. I know what she is now. She has weathered a hurricane, and
don't mind an ordinary gale any more than a summer zephyr. Bes