seen a prettier set of sails on a craft in a long while. It's good
rigging-- good rigging," and he glanced particularly at the dresses.

Betty presented her friends in turn, and Mr. Martin had something odd
to say to each as he shook hands heartily.

"Uncle Amos has brought the-- surprise," said Betty. "But even yet he
won't tell me what it is."

"If I did it wouldn't be a surprise!" he protested. "But I'm all
prepared to pilot you down to where she is. She's in the offing, all
fitted for a cruise. All she needs is a captain and crew, and I think
Bet here will be the one, and you girls the other. I may ship as cook
or cabin boy, if you'll have me, but that is as may be. Now, if you're
ready we'll go down to the dock and see how the tide is."

"But we have no tide here, Uncle Amos," spoke Betty.

"What! No tide! What sort of a place is it without a tide? I'm
disappointed, lass, disappointed!"

"We'll try and have one made for you," said Mollie, with a laugh.

"That's it! That's the way to talk. Salt water and a tide would make
any place, even a desert-- er-- er-- what is it I want to say, Bet?"

"I don't know, Uncle, unless that it would make the desert blossom
like the rose."

"That's it-- a rose. You luffed just at the right time. Well, ladies,