She laughed gayly. "You can't scare me!"

"Ain't a-tryin' to," he responded, eying her admiringly. "You're an
able seaman, I don't dispute. An' we'll git along fine. Hi-mighty!
there's Am'zon!"

Louise actually turned around this time to look at the door, expecting
to see the mariner in question enter. Then she said, half doubtfully:

"Do you suppose your brother will object if he does come, Cap'n Abe?"

"Land sakes, no!" the storekeeper quickly assured her. "'Tain't that.
But I cal'lated 'bout soon's Am'zon anchored here I'd cast off moorin's
myself."

"Go away?" Louise demanded.

"Yes. Like poor old Jerry, mebbe," said Cap'n Abe, looking at the
caged bird. "Mebbe I'll be glad to come back again--and in a hurry.
But while Cap'n Am'zon is here I can take a vacation that I've long
hankered for, Niece Louise. I--I got my plans all made."

"Don't for one moment think of changing them on my account," Louise
said briskly. "I shall like Uncle Amazon immensely if he's anything
like you, Cap'n Abe."

"He--he ain't so _much_ like me," confessed the storekeeper. "Not in
looks he ain't. But hi-mighty! I know he'll be as pleased as Punch to
see ye."