me, and there 's a trail across the neck of the Cape to Providence,
where the Desire will come to port. I expect to spend the Sabbath
here, but I lift anchor on Monday. Ye can tell Captain Pierce ye 're a
friend of mine, and 't will do ye no harm."

[Illustration]

"Oh, Father," breathed Dan, "may I go, too?"

The Captain chuckled. "Art struck with the sea fever, son?" he said,
looking down into the boy's eager face. "Well, there 's room aboard.
I might take ye along if so be thy parents are willing and thou art
minded to see a bit of the world."

Up to this time Goodwife Pepperell had said no word, but now she
spoke. "Are there not dangers enough on land without courting the
dangers of the sea?" she asked.

Her husband looked at her with gentle disapproval. "Hold thy peace,"
he said. "What hath a pioneer lad to do with fear? Moreover, if he
goes I shall be with him."

Nancy leaned forward and gazed imploringly at the Captain. "Dost thou
not need some one to cook on thy boat?" she gasped. "I know well how
to make johnny-cake and I--" then, seeing her father's stern look and
her mother's distress, she wilted like a flower on its stem and was
silent. The Captain smiled at her.

"Ye 're a fine cook, I make no doubt," he said genially, "but ye would
n't go and leave Mother here all alone, now, I 'll be bound!"