it for once, you
rascal?"

"Keep a stiff upper lip, commodore. It's all right," cried the man,
pointing to North; "here's a chap I have done a service to, who is
willing to take my night's work on himself, just out of gratitude. He's
a safe hand."

"Let him bear away, then," cried the pilot, casting a glance at North,
which seemed to prove satisfactory; "come on, my man, we have no time to
lose."

North followed the pilot in silence, only stopping by the sick man long
enough to whisper, "Don't mention this to a living soul!"

The man promised, and kept his word.

The pilot boat was soon unmoored and flying out to sea like a stormy
petrel. North performed his duty well, and received a word or two of
commendation from the superior, which proved the efficacy of his
disguise, for he had seen this person more than once at the shore
tavern.

At last they came in sight of a large steamer laboring heavily with a
roughish sea and uncertain wind. She hailed them, and the little boat
bore down upon her. The steamer lay to, and the pilot mounted her side,
after giving some directions to his man. A crowd of persons met him as
he leaped over the bulwarks, and among them North searched with burning
eagerness for that one face. It appeared at last, looking down upon the
boat from over the bulwarks. The bad man's heart rose to his mouth; he
watched every movement on deck with keen interest.

The pilot came to Mellen's side, and made a signal for the boat to wait.
Then some luggage was lowered and Grantley Mellen came down the side of
the steamer, and took his seat in the little craft, which flew away with
him towards the clouded shore. The wind increased as they sped along,
and though not so terrible as it had been when that other vessel was
wrecked, it gradually rose to a degree of violence that threatened the
little pilot boat with destruction. But the gale blew shoreward, and
urged the boat on till it fairly leaped over the hissing waves.

A dismal twilight came on, and the storm was rapidly increasing to its
full power as they drew near the shore. The wind roared among the hills,
and lashed the waters into foam, the rain beat heavily and chill as
sleet, but Mr. Mellen sat cold and firm on his luggage, neither heeding
the disguised boatman's ejaculations or offering to aid him in his
difficult task.

It was a position to test the courage of the strongest man, and many a
time it seemed that the wind and waves must conquer