again sightseers from the States. And the fishing places are
busy, with enough to see. Then's the time to come."

"I didn't pick the time," explained Charley, glad to have an opportunity
to talk into sympathetic ears. "Dad was going hunting in Newfoundland,
and he took me to St. John's with him. I thought I was going along, but
after we got to St. John's he said I was too young to hike through the
country, and that this trip on the mail boat would be more interesting
for me while he hunted. He sent Mr. Wise along to keep me company. He's
Dad's secretary. He's left me alone most of the time. Dad said I would
see Indians and Eskimos and loads of interesting things, but I've been
on the ship ever since we left, except at Hopedale when the Captain
took me ashore for an hour while we were lying there before we turned
back. That was dandy! I saw Eskimos, and Eskimo dogs, and I bought some
souvenirs at the Moravian Mission for Mother and some of the boys. But I
wasn't there half long enough to see everything. They never let me go
ashore in the boat at the harbours where we stop."

"Well, well, now! That is hard on you, b'y," agreed Barney
sympathetically. "Where is your home?"

"In New York. But Dad is so busy at his office that I don't see him
often. I thought I was going to have a dandy time with _him_!"

Charley choked back tears, which he felt it would be unmanly to shed,
and gazed out over the sea.

"Lad, when you gets lonesome to talk come down to the engine room when
it's my watch on," Barney invited heartily. "I'll show you the big
engines, and we'll chum up a bit. I'm off watch now, but I'll be on at
eight bells. That's four o'clock, land reckoning. I'll come and get you,
b'y, and show you the way."

"Thank you! Thank you ever so much!" Charley acknowledged gratefully, as
Barney left him.

The ship which had been standing off from the shore was now edging in
toward the land. Suddenly there came a long blast of the whistle. There
was activity upon the deck at once. Sailors were swinging a boat out
upon the davits. Charley hastened to join the sailors, and asked:

"Are we going to make a port?"

"Aye, lad," answered one of them good-naturedly.

"What place is it?" asked Charley.

"Pinch-In Tickle."

"Will it be a long stop?"

"Now I'm not knowin' how long or how short. We stop inside the Tickle to
take on fish and gear. I'm thinkin' 'twill be a half hour's stop, or
thereabouts."

"May I go ashore in th