This was the first business letter Rod had ever received and he was
delighted. After showing it to Mr. and Mrs. Royal, he rushed over to
tell the good news to Captain Josh and Whyn. The latter was much
pleased, and she gave him some sound advice.

"You must keep that letter," she told him, "for you cannot always trust
people. I have heard some queer stories of mean tricks which have been
done. Then, you had better read the market prices every day in the
paper, and cut the piece out, so you will know just exactly how much
your berries are bringing. How I wish I could help you pick them."

Monday morning Rod began to pick his first berries. The patch was not
a large one, but it seemed big to him. Hour after hour he worked, and
at times his back ached. The day was hot, and the perspiration poured
down his face. But he kept faithfully at his task, stopping only long
enough to eat his dinner. When supper time came he had twenty boxes of
nice ripe berries lying side by side upon the kitchen table. He could
not eat a bite until all had been placed safely in the crate, and then
he stood back and gazed upon them with admiration. In fact, he had to
come out several times before he went to bed to view his treasures.
But at last the cover was placed on, nailed down, and the ticket tacked
upon the top.

Early the next morning Parson Dan and Rod took the berries to the wharf
in the carriage, in time to catch the first steamer of the day. Thus
at last his precious berries were off on their way to the city, and as
Rod watched the _Heather Bell_ as she glided away from the wharf he
tried to catch a glimpse of his box where it was lying among the rest
of the freight. He pictured Mr. McDuff's delight when he saw what fine