satins at the very bottom of the great chest. This done, she kissed
Mrs. Neptune solemnly, and proceeded to adorn her with a gorgeous
Eastern scarf, the very gayest her treasure-house could afford.

Meanwhile, in the room below, the talk went on, grave and earnest.
Troubled it was, too, on one side; for though the Captain sat quietly
in his chair, and spoke in his usual cheerful voice, Bob Peet's rough
tones were harsh and broken, and he rose from his place once or twice
and moved uneasily about the room.

"Cap'n," he said, "'tain't so. Don't tell me! Strong man--hearty--live
twenty years yet--like's not thirty! Uncle o' mine--Punksquid--hundred
and three--peart's chicken."

Captain January puffed at his pipe in silence for some minutes. "Bob,"
he said, presently, "it ain't always as it's given to a man to know
his time. I've allers thought I should take it particular kind if
it 'corded with the Lord's views to let me know when He was ready
for me. And now that He _has_ let me know, and moreover has set my
mind that easy about the child that it's a pleasure to think of, why,
it ain't likely I shall take it anyway _but_ kind. Thankin' you all
the same, Bob, as have been a good mate to me, and as I sha'n't forget
wherever I am. But see now!" he added, hastily, hearing a sound in
the room above. "You understand, Bob; I h'ist that signal, as it might
be to-morrow, and I keep her flyin' night and day. And so long as
you see her flyin', you says, 'Cap'n's all right so far!' you says.
But you keep a sharp lookout; and if some mornin' you don't see her,
you says, 'Sailin' orders!' you says, and then you calls Cap'n Nazro,
as never failed in a kindness yet, nor ain't likely to, to take the
wheel, and you put for this island. And Cap'n Nazro he takes the