f the craft, Dougal," said Ben Snatchblock, as
he handed over his command to the old Highland skipper, into whose
charge Murray had given the yacht: "cover her over carefully, and keep
the sun from her in summer and the snow in winter, and we'll have many a
cruise in her yet when we come back from the East Indies."

"Dinna fash ye, mon; she'll no' take harm under my charge," said Dougal.

"Dougal has been somewhat jealous of Ben on account of his having been
appointed to the yacht instead of himself," remarked Alick.

Glasgow was reached before nightfall, and the next morning the whole
party started by train for the south. Admiral Triton insisted on
accompanying his friends to Portsmouth. "My sister Deborah and I have
taken a house on Southsea Common for three years, and you and your wife
and bairn must be our guests, and we have a room for Archie till it is
time for him to take up his berth on board. You will cheer us up, and
we old people want companionship, for I can't get about as I once did;
and the young fellows fight shy of me and don't laugh at my yarns, as
you and Jack used to do; and I say, Murray, if you want to do me a
favour, you will let your wife stay on as our guest. The boy will be a
great amusement to us both. We'll not spoil him, depend on that. I
then can come and go as I like. And when I am away, she'll help to keep
my good sister alive and cheerful. When Deb hasn't me to look after,
she's apt to get out of spirits, and to be thinking about her own
ailments--fancied more than real, for she is as hearty as she can expect
to be at her age; while, if she has a guest and a little child to occupy
her thoughts, she'll be perfectly happy and contented; so, you see,
you'll be doing her and me the greatest possible favour. Don't say no,
but settle the matter at once."

Murray, of course, thanked the admiral very heartily. He was sure that
the invitation was given from the kindest of motives, and he fully
believed that Stella would contribute greatly to the happiness of the
old man and his sister, who, without kith or kin, required someone to
solace them in their declining years. He seemed truly grateful when
Murray, after talking the matter over with Stella, accepted his kind
proposal.

"She mustn't consider herself a mere visitor, but must be as much at
home as if Deb were only her housekeeper--that is just what Deb will
like. And I must be looked upon as their visitor when I come back from