nd your father, as his friend, will most likely be with
him."

Just then one of the officers handed her a telescope, and went forward
to order up a guard of men to receive the governor.

Lady O'Hara did not seem herself. She was no longer the bluff;
outspoken woman, but appeared trembling and nervous, as she stood
resting with one hand upon the rail.

"I can't use it to-day, Nic, boy," she said. "You try the glass."

Nic took it, rested it on the rail, had a long look, and focussed and
re-focussed it, without avail.

"I--I can't see with it," he said huskily. "It is so dim. The glass is
not clear."

"Try again," said Lady O'Hara; and Nic looked at her sharply, her voice
was so changed.

But he raised the glass once more, and this time brought it steadily to
bear upon the boat rowed by the man-of-war's men.

"Now, Nic, tell me what you see," said Lady O'Hara. "Some soldiers with
muskets and bayonets. I can see the scarlet quite plain."

"Yes, yes: the marines. What else?"

"There's an officer just in front of the flag."

"One officer?"

"Stop a minute. Yes, there's another: he seems to me a bigger man."

"Look--look again."

"It's so far off that I can't quite make out, and the glass won't keep
steady; but I think he has a big white beard. Yes, and he has taken off
his hat. His head is white."

Lady O'Hara half closed her eyes, and the captain, who was near, saw
that a smile came upon her lip.

"But you see some one else, Nic?" she said faintly.

"Yes," said the boy in a very husky voice; "but it must be a seaman:
there is some one in a straw hat."

"And who will that be, Nic?"

"A sailor, I suppose."

"I do not say. Your father generally wore a straw hat. Can't you make
out his face?"

"No," said Nic, taking his eye from the glass quickly, and gazing at the
boat, which seemed to have suddenly gone back some distance.

"I want to look without the glass," he added, after a minute or so; and
then, forgetful of the glorious panorama spread around beyond the blue
lake-like harbour, he held on by the rail, gazing hard at the
approaching boat, seeing neither of the others, only that one with the
white jacketed men who made the water flash at each dip of the oars.

Then by degrees Nic began to make out the faces, which grew clearer and
clearer, till the figure wearing the straw hat rose up and waved it, and
the officer in uniform rose up then and took off his hat.

At that moment Nic