ssels of a like unamiable character.

Although my client could have told you, offhand, jackstraw's last mile
in a bicycle sulky, his notion of the Scimitar's speed was as vague
as his knowledge of seamanship. And when I informed him that in all
probability she had already passed the light on Far Harbor reef, some
nine miles this side of the Far Harbor police station, he went into
an inordinate state of excitement. Mr. Cooke was, indeed, that day the
embodiment of an unselfish if misdirected zeal. He was following the
dictates of both heart and conscience in his endeavor to rescue his
guest from the law; and true zeal is invariably contagious. What but
such could have commanded the unremitting labors of that morning? Farrar
himself had done three men's work before breakfast, and it was, in great
part, owing to him that we were now leaving the island behind us. He was
sailing the Maria that day as she will never be sailed again: her lee
gunwale awash, and a wake like a surveyor's line behind her. More than
once I called to mind his facetious observation about Mr. Drew, and
wondered if he knew more than he had said about the detective.

Once in the open, the Maria showed but small consideration for her
passengers, for she went through the seas rather than over them. And Mr.
Cooke, manfully keeping his station on the weather bow, likewise went
through the seas. No argument could induce him to leave the post he had
thus heroically chosen, which was one of honor rather than utility, for
the lake was as vacant of sails as the day that Father Marquette (or
some one else) first beheld it. Under such circumstances ease must be
considered as only a relative term; and the accommodations of the Maria
afforded but two comfortable spots,--the cabin, and the lea aft of the
cabin bulkhead. This being the case, the somewhat peculiar internal
relations of the party decided its grouping.

I know of no worse place than a small yacht, or than a large one for
that matter, for uncongenial people. The Four betook themselves to the
cabin, which was fortunately large, and made life bearable with a game
of cards; while Mrs. Cooke, whose adaptability and sense I had come
greatly to, admire, contented herself with a corner and a book. The
ungrateful cause of the expedition himself occupied another corner. I
caught sight of him through the cabin skylight, and the silver pencil he
was holding over his note-book showed unmistakable marks of teeth.