e kitten. And 'twas little enough I thought of whittling
out dolls."

"Or I of knitting scarlet stockings," answered his wife. "Anne knits her
stint each day, and will soon have hers done, but her second pair I am
knitting for the child. November is close at hand, and then she must be
warmly clad."

"Her leather shoes are ready," said Captain Enos, with a satisfied nod.

The next morning Captain Enos gave the letter to William Trull, who
promised to find a chance of forwarding it to John Nelson.

"What think you, Anne?" said Mrs. Stoddard when the little girl came home
from school that day. "The 'Somerset' is getting under way, and your Uncle
Enos says 'Tis like enough that your father will have the letter before
the week ends."

"I wish I could see him read it," said Anne.

"And your Uncle Enos has a bold plan, child. He is filling up his sloop
with fine cod to take to the Boston market, and if this wind holds, he
will go sailing up the coast to-morrow morning. Mayhap he'll be in Boston
before the 'Somerset.'"

"But they will fire their big guns at him and sink the sloop!" said Anne
fearfully.

"Your uncle will not give them a chance," answered Mrs. Stoddard. "He will
put in and out among the islands and keep out of their sight."

"May I not go with him, Aunt Martha? I could see my father then."

Mrs. Stoddard shook her head. "'Twould not be wise, child. Your uncle
would not wish it. There would be but little chance of finding your
father. Your uncle plans to make but a short stay and get home as soon as
may be. It is no time to be coasting about, with British ships ready to
sink any craft they see. Here, see!" and she held something up in her
hand.

"Oh, Amanda's doll!" exclaimed Anne, "and you have made a fine dress for
her. Can I take it down now?" and the little girl took the wooden doll
which Captain Enos had whittled out and looked at it admiringly.

"Yes, run along," replied Mrs. Stoddard; "'twill be a great surprise for
Amanda."

Anne hurried down the hill and along the shore toward the Cary house,
holding the doll carefully under the little shawl of gay plaid which Mrs.
Stoddard had pinned about her shoulders. The sand no longer felt warm
about her bare feet.

"I shall be wearing my new stockings and shoes soon," she thought, as her
feet felt the cold dampness.

Amanda saw her coming and ran out to meet her, a white kitten close at her
heels.

"See, the British ship is going!" exclaimed Am