ngs combined; nor was Phil very much amazed to see
how tenderly he soothed the mother of his children.

Then the big man strode over toward the spot where they stood; while
every one watched curiously to see what he would do, for never yet had
a man of them ever seen the mighty McGee bend the knee to any one.

"Gimme yuh hand, younker," he said, humbly enough. "I war all wrong,
an' I admits hit right now an' hyah. Yuh dad he's jest a trump; an'
w'en he kims tuh weuns' camp, thar ain't gwine tuh be a king welcomed
more heartily'n he'll be. An' Tony boy, don't yuh do nawthin' tuh thet
chile as shooted yuh bird, d'ye hyah? Ef 'twa'nt foh thet, jest see
wot I'd a-done tuh the son o' the man as hes brought light tuh the
blessed eyes o' our leetle Madge."

Again the shouts broke out. The entire settlement was mad with joy.
Women got together and talked of the wonderful things that were going
to come to pass when this benefactor fulfilled his promises, and their
homes became a positive fact, with their men working every day at big
wages, and a new life possessing the entire community.

Relieved from a terrible strain Phil and Larry began to take an
interest in the many things connected with the squatter settlement.
McGee, having thrown off his gloomy condition in the light of the happy
news, showed that he was a keensighted man. He talked business with
Phil in a way that quite pleased the boy; who felt positive that his
father would find in this leading spirit of the swamp country just the
able lieutenant he wanted, in order to make a big success of the new
undertaking.

Of course the motor boat was soon brought down from its station above.
Tony and his father accompanied the two voyagers up to get it; and
McGee manifested considerable interest in the working of the smart
little craft.

And then when on the third day there arrived a boat containing half a
dozen persons, imagine the great joy when that good mother folded to
her heart the form of the little child she had sent from her side with
such great misgivings.

Of course Phil pounced on his father, the genial physician whose name
as an oculist had long since become famous throughout the East. And as
rapidly as he could, ably assisted by Larry, he poured out the
wonderful story of their cruise, which had been brought to such a
dramatic conclusion.

McGee was not long in welcoming Doctor Lancing, and in a day the two
men seemed to understand each other thor