Then a slow smile crept over
his weather-beaten face. "Anne!" he called, and at the sound of his voice
the child stopped instantly. "Come here," he said, and she approached
slowly with hanging head. "Give me your hand, child," he said kindly, and
the little girl slipped her slender fingers into the big rough hand.

"So, Jimmie Starkweather, you'll stand by and see my little girl put upon,
will you!" he exclaimed angrily. "I thought better than that of your
father's son, to stand by and let a small girl be taunted with what she
cannot help. It speaks ill for you."

"I had no time, sir," answered the boy sulkily; "she was upon them both in
a second," and Jimmie's face brightened; "it was fine, sir, the way she
sent yon lubber over," and he pointed a scornful finger toward the Cary
boy, who was now slinking after his sister.

"Here, you Cary boy!" called the captain, "come back here and heed what I
say to you. If I know of your opening your mouth with such talk again to
my girl here," and he nodded toward Anne, "I'll deal with you myself. So
look out for yourself."

"I'll see he keeps a civil tongue, sir," volunteered Jimmie, and Captain
Enos nodded approvingly.

"Now, Anne, we'd best step up home," said the captain. "I expect Mistress
Stoddard will not be pleased at this."

Anne clung close to the big hand but said no word.

"I am not angry, child," went on the captain. "I like your spirit. I do
not believe in being put upon."

"But Mistress Stoddard told me I was not to throw water and sand,"
responded Anne, "and I forgot her commands. I fear she will not like me
now," and remorseful tears dropped over the flushed little cheeks.

"There, there! Do not cry, Anne," comforted the captain; "I will tell her
all about it. She will not blame you. You are my little girl now, and
those Cary oafs will not dare open their mouths to plague you."

Mrs. Stoddard, looking toward the shore, could hardly credit what she
saw--the captain, who but yesterday had declared that Anne should not stay
under his roof, leading the child tenderly and smiling upon her!

"Heaven be thanked!" she murmured. "Enos has come to his senses. There'll
be no more trouble about Anne staying."

CHAPTER III

ANNE'S SECRET

Mrs. Stoddard said nothing to Anne of the trouble at the spring, and when
Anne would have explained her part in it, her friend said quickly:
"Captain Enos is not displeased with you, Anne. He thinks the Cary
children