To the Captain's great relief the lobsters at this moment created a
diversion. He had dropped them on the hearth when he came in, and they
were now clattering briskly about the room, butting into anything that
came in their way in an effort to escape. He made a sudden dash after
them and held them out toward Goodwife Pepperell.

"Here they be, ma'am," he said. "I 'd saved them for my supper, and I
'd take it kindly if ye 'd cook them for me, and help eat them, too.
It 's raining cats and dogs, and if I was to start out now, I 'd have a
hard time finding the Lucy Ann. Ye can't see a rod ahead of ye in such
a downpour."

"We shall be glad to have thee stay as long as thou wilt," said the
Goodwife heartily. "Put the lobsters in this while I set the kettle to
boil." She held out a wooden puncheon as she spoke, and the Captain
dropped them in. Then he sat down with Goodman Pepperell on the settle
beside the fireplace, and the two men talked of their boyhood in
England, while she hung the kettle on the crane over the fire and
began to prepare the evening meal.

"Daniel, sit thee down by the fire and get a good bed of coals ready
while I mix the johnny-cake," she said as she stepped briskly about
the room, and Daniel, nothing loath, drew a stool to the Captain's
side and fed the fire with chips and corn-cobs while he listened with
all his ears to the talk of the two men.

[Illustration]

"Well, Thomas, how hast thou prospered since I saw thee last?" asked