understanding, in consequence of Mr. Despard feeling that it would be wrong to bind your daughter to one who could not marry for an indefinite time; but that is over now-they can marry as soon as they please." And a something in the tone of these words made the Captain avoid looking at once at the speaker.

"Well, he may get his promotion," he said, "and very glad I shall be to see a pair of epaulettes upon his shoulders; but if he gets my girl, why, I'll eat my head, hat and all. No, no, not a bit of it."

"You won't give your consent?"

"Give my consent! Yes, I'll give my consent if he ever gets hers. But, whereas, a little time ago she'd nailed her colours to Leo, and would have stuck to him through thick and thin, like a true woman -God bless 'em every one!-now, whether he sinks or swims, the same boat will never

hold them, and the longer they live the wider they'll drift apart."

"But how-what has caused this sudden

change?" said Sir Stephen.

"Nothing, I believe; only old Time has made a woman of the child, and she cares for something beyond a good figurehead. Besides, I always knew that if they were thrown much together her love for Leo would be gone; they're as opposite to one another as the poles. I wish Leo well, and, for my old friend's sake, besides having a liking for the boy himself, I'd do him a service with all my heart; but, for all that, I say, thank the Lord that he'll never be anything more to my girl, and last night when she told me, I took an extra glass of grog on the strength of it. Ah! by-the-bye, that brings me to a promise I gave to our friend Joe Bunce. Do you really think you shall take up your quar

ters here I mean, so that you'll keep on your boat, and need Joe as a regular

hand ?"

"Certainly, I mean to engage his services to be a handy man about the place, and to make the boat his especial care."

"Well, then, will you tell him so?"

"Of course I will. I was on my way to the village when we met. If you are going there, we'll walk on together."

"What you have told me," said the Captain, as they turned into the road, "is as safe as if it was unsaid. Until you give the word, I shall never speak of it to a soul."

"I shall be entirely guided by his own wishes," said Sir Stephen. "He may desire that things be left as they are."

"Most probably he will," said the Captain. “You see, it's an awkward thing to be chopping and changing, and I know

when Leo has a story to tell he isn't particular to a shade or two." Then, seeing that they were approaching a more frequented part, he added, "but we'll talk this over again. There are two or three things I want to say; but we'll leave them for the present, and finish our business with Mr. Joe, who I can see round the corner keeping a sharp look-out. Come, Joe, here's Sir Stephen-now speak up!" for the expression on Joe's face had suddenly assumed a bashfulness rather at variance with its bronze colour and hairy surroundings.

"Well, Joe!" said Sir Stephen, "are you ready to settle down as a landsman? Is it agreed that you undertake the charge boat?"

of

my

Joe turned the hat which he held by the brim slowly round, staring hard into the crown, with the hope of gaining an inspiration by which he might return his thanks;

but these means not succeeding, he got redder than before with the effort to say,

"Thank 'ee, sir. I ain't much of a hand at speechifying, through allays havin' bin in the carpenter's crew; but my feelin's is the same, and I'm uncommon obliged to you, sir, for givin' me this chance, and so the Cap'en can tell, as has often spoke up for me before, when the wind's bin pretty stiff up above," and he rather lowered his voice as he indicated above to mean Sharrows.

"Ah!" said the Captain, "that's when you've been splicing the main brace, Joe; but we mustn't have any more of that now. You must conduct yourself as becomes a steady-going man, or you'll lose your rating with Betsy."

"Betsy!" repeated Sir Stephen. "Of course, I had forgotten all about that. Why, you want to get married, Joe ?"