, then,--I think the best thing you can do in these circumstances
is to take that keg in the corner there, roll it outside, pull out the
stop-cock and pour the contents on to the beach."

"No! I ain't spoilin' any booze,--George. If I can't stop it because
a keg of whisky is sittin' under my nose, then I can't stop boozin'
nohow. And, if I can't stop boozin' nohow, what's the good of throwin'
away the good booze I already got, when I'd just have to order another
keg and maybe have to go thirsty waitin' for it to come up."

"All right, old man," I laughed, slapping him between the shoulders,
"please yourself and good luck to your attempt, anyway."

"Say!--George."

"Yes!"

"You won't say anything about this to the young lady that plays the
pianner? Because, you see, I might fall down."

"I won't say a word, Jake."

"And--not to Rita, neither?" he asked plaintively, "because Rita's
about the only gal cares two straws for me. She comes often when
nobody knows about it. She brings cake and pie, and swell cooked meat
sometimes. When I find anything on the table,--I know Rita's been.
I've knowed Rita since she was a baby and I've always knowed her for a
good gal."

"Well, Jake;--I will keep your secret as if I had never heard it. But
don't allow that drunken chum of yours, Mike, to lead you astray."

"Guess nit! Mike's got to sign the pledge same's me," he laughed in
his guttural way.

I stood at the door. "And you are not going to put that money of yours
in the bank, Jake?"

He spat on the ground.

"To hell with banks," he grunted and turned inside.

CHAPTER XVI

The Devil of the Sea

It was Sunday morning, the first Sunday morning after the arrival of
the American ladies at the house over the way,--for I took them to be
such, and, later, my conjecture proved not a very long way out.

It had been a week of hard work, petty annoyances and unsatisfying
little pleasures.

When I got up that morning, I felt jaded. As I ate my breakfast, I
became more so; but, as I went out on to the veranda to look upon the
beauties of Golden Crescent,--as I did every morning,--I came to myself.

This will never do, George Bremner! What you need is a swim!

I had hit it. Why had not I thought of it sooner? I undressed, and in
less time than it takes to retell it, I was in the water and striking
straight for Rita's Isle.

When I got there, I sunned myself on the rocks, as was my wont. I
looked acros