Frazer is somethin' of
a surgeon, and has set it, but as soon as this storm is over he must be
taken home. It leaves us short a man if so be we are called out, unless
some feller happens to run across before night, which is kinder
unlikely."

"I'd be only too glad to pull an oar, if necessary, and you couldn't
find any better man," said Darry, quickly, looking at Abner, who shook
his head, dubiously.

"They may hev to take yuh, lad; but I hopes as how we aint gwine to be
called out. It's a cruel night to fight the sea, an' only them as has
been thar knows wot it means. Now come an' set down here, both on yuh,
an' tell me all the news from hum. I seen somethin' in your eye, lad,
thet tells me yuh knows sure a heap wuth hearin'. I hopes it's good
news," he said.

"Indeed it is, the best ever," replied Darry, with bursting heart, and
then as quickly as he could he told the whole story.

Poor Abner sat there, blinking, and hardly able to comprehend the
wonderful change that had so suddenly come over his fortunes.

Unable to speak he could only stretch out his hand to Paul, and then
turning to our hero looked at him with his very soul in his eyes.

After a little, when he became calmer, he asked many questions, and even
had a quiet little laugh at the expense of Darius Quarles.

"That's the second time yuh see he's ben knocked out a-tryin' to rob
me. Nancy done it fust a-fallin' into the water, and this time Darry
here cum to the front. Darius he must be concludin' he was borned under
an unlucky star, 'specially wen he tackles Nancy Peake. I'd give
somethin' to see the gal jest now," he added wistfully as he tried to
picture what she must look like when really and truly happy.

Long they talked, until an early supper was ready, and the men gathered
about the table, while the wind shrieked and sighed about the corners of
the station, telling of the severe labors the coming night would demand.

After the meal was finished nothing would do but that Darry must give
them some music ere the first detail went out on their arduous duties in
facing the cold storm.

Paul had known nothing of this accomplishment on the part of his new
friend.

He sat there as though enthralled while Darry drew such weird strains
from the little polished instrument in his hands that this young man,
who had doubtless listened to many masters of the violin believed he had
never in all his life heard such wonderful music.

Of course the str