absent-mindedly through his large glasses.

"Ah, Robare!" said the lady with an odd little accent, "I have now a
thought; it may be this boy could to us tell of some public-house near
by, to which we could go for this night."

All turned to Morton, who said hesitantly,--

"Yes, there is one, or at least there's Miss Zeba Osterhaus; she keeps
store in her front window, and has rooms up-stairs that she doesn't use.
Sometimes she takes in a painter fellow, or the goose-men."

"The what?" laughed the young man, advancing with a large portfolio,
which he had taken from the yacht as soon as she was made fast.

"Why, the men that come for the wild geese--gunning, you know."

"Ho, yes indeed! I'd like to be a 'goose-man' myself, for once in a way.
What do you say, uncle and aunt; can you make yourselves contented with
your geological and artistic prowls to-morrow, and let me off for a bit
of a shoot?" Both gave a ready assent, and the speaker turned to
Morton.

"And now, my boy, can you add to your favors by showing us the way to
this--What's her name?--you mentioned, and telling me, as we go along,
where I can get hold of a good guide and sportsman about here?"

As he spoke he attempted to slip a half-dollar into the boy's hand, but
it was sharply withdrawn.