CaptainSandersonnowputhispipebackintohismouth，andCaptainBurresstookouthispipe。
　　"Iwasonceinanobelisk-ship，"saidhe，"thatusedtotraderegularbetweenEgyptandNewYork，carryingobelisks。Wehadabigobeliskonboard。Thewaytheyshipobelisksistomakeaholeinthesternoftheship，andruntheobeliskin，p'intedendforemost；andthisobeliskfilledupnearlythewholeofthatshipfromsterntobow。Wewasabouttendaysout，andsailingaforeanortheastgalewiththeenginesatfullspeed，whensuddenlywespiedbreakersahead，andourCaptainsawwewasabouttorunonabank。Nowifwehadn'thadanobeliskonboardwemighthavesailedoverthatbank，butthecaptainknewthatwithanobeliskonboardwedrewtoomuchwaterforthis，andthatwe'dbewreckedinaboutfifty-fivesecondsifsomethingwasn'tdonequick。Sohehadtodosomethingquick，andthisiswhathedid：Heorderedallsteamon，anddroveslam-bangonthatbank。Justasheexpected，westoppedsosuddintthatthatbigobeliskbouncedfor'ard，itsp'intedendforemost，andwentcleanthroughthebowandshotoutintothesea。Theminuteitdidthatthevesselwassolightenedthatitroseinthewaterandweeasilysteamedoverthebank。Therewasonemanknockedoverboardbytheshockwhenwestruck，butassoonaswemissedhimwewentbackafterhimandwegothimallright。Yousee，whenthatobeliskwentoverboard，itsbutt-end，whichwasheaviest，wentdownfirst，andwhenittouchedthebottomitjuststoodthere，andasitwassuchabigobelisktherewasaboutfiveandahalffeetofitstuckoutofthewater。Themanwhowasknockedoverboardhejustswumforthatobeliskandheclimbedupthehiryglyphics。Itwasamightyfineobelisk，andtheEgyptianshadcuttheirhiryglyphicsgoodanddeep，sothatthemancouldgethandandfoot-hold；andwhenwegottohimandtookhimoff，hewassittinghighanddryonthep'intedendofthatobelisk。Itwasagreatpityabouttheobelisk，foritwasagoodobelisk，butasIneverheardthecompanytriedtoraiseit，Iexpectitisstandingthereyet。"
　　CaptainBurressnowputhispipebackintohismouthandlookedatCaptainJenkinson，whoremovedhispipeandsaid：
　　"Thequeerestthingthateverhappenedtomewasaboutashark。WewasofftheBanks，andthetimeofyearwasJuly，andtheicewascomingdown，andwegotinamongalotofit。Notfaraway，offourweatherbow，therewasalittleicebergwhichhadsuchaqueernessaboutitthatthecaptainandthreemenwentinaboattolookatit。Theicewasmightyclearice，andyoucouldseealmostthroughit，andrightinsideofit，notmorethanthreefeetabovethewaterline，andabouttwofeet，ormaybetwentyinches，insidetheice，wasawhoppingbigshark，aboutfourteenfeetlong，——aregularman-eater，——frozenintherehardandfast。`Blessmysoul，'saidthecaptain，`thisisawonderfulcuriosity，andI'mgoingtogithimout。'Justthenoneofthemensaidhesawthatsharkwink，butthecaptainwouldn'tbelievehim，forhesaidthatsharkwasfrozenstiffandhardandcouldn'twink。Yousee，thecaptainhadhisownideesaboutthings，andheknewthatwhaleswaswarm-bloodedandwouldfreezeiftheywasshutupinice，butheforgotthatsharkswasnotwhalesandthatthey'recold-bloodedjustliketoads。Andthereistoadsthathasbeenshutupinrocksforthousandsofyears，andtheystayedalive，nomatterhowcoldtheplacewas，becausetheywascold-blooded，andwhentherockswassplit，outhoppedthefrog。But，asIsaidbefore，thecaptainforgotsharkswascold-blooded，andhedeterminedtogitthatoneout。
　　"Nowyoubothknow，beinghousekeepers，thatifyoutakeaneedleanddriveitintoahunkoficeyoucansplitit。Thecaptainhadasail-needlewithhim，andsohedroveitintotheicebergrightalongsideofthesharkandsplitit。Nowtheminutehediditheknewthatthemanwasrightwhenhesaidhesawthesharkwink，foritfloppedoutofthaticebergquickernoraflashoflightning。"
　　"Whatahappyfishhemusthavebeen！"ejaculatedDorcas，forgetfulofprecedent，sogreatwasheremotion。
　　"Yes，"saidCaptainJenkinson，"itwasahappyfishenough，butitwasn'tahappycaptain。Yousee，thatsharkhadn'thadanythingtoeat，perhapsforathousandyears，untilthecaptaincamealongwithhissail-needle。"
　　"Surelyyousailormendoseestrangethings，"nowsaidthewidow，"andthestrangestthingaboutthemisthattheyaretrue。"
　　"Yes，indeed，"saidDorcas，"thatisthemostwonderfulthing。"
　　"Youwouldn'tsuppose，"saidtheWidowDucket，glancingfromonebenchofmarinerstotheother，"thatIhaveasea-storytotell，butIhave，andifyoulikeIwilltellittoyou。"
　　CaptainBirdlookedupalittlesurprised。
　　"Wewouldliketohearit——indeed，wewould，madam，"saidhe。
　　"Ay，ay！"saidCaptainBurress，andthetwoothermarinersnodded。
　　"Itwasagoodwhileago，"shesaid，"whenIwaslivingontheshoreneartheheadofthebay，thatmyhusbandwasawayandIwasleftaloneinthehouse。Onemornin'mysister-in-law，wholivedontheothersideofthebay，sentmewordbyaboyonahorsethatshehadn'tanyoilinthehousetofillthelampthatshealwaysputinthewindowtolightherhusbandhome，whowasafisherman，andifIwouldsendhersomebytheboyshewouldpaymebackassoonastheyboughtoil。Theboysaidhewouldstoponhiswayhomeandtaketheoiltoher，butheneverdidstop，orperhapsheneverwentback，andaboutfiveo'clockI
　　begantogetdreadfullyworried，forIknewifthatlampwasn'tinmysister-in-law'swindowbydarkshemightbeawidowbeforemidnight。SoIsaidtomyself，`I'vegottogetthatoiltoher，nomatterwhathappensorhowit'sdone。'OfcourseIcouldn'ttellwhatmighthappen，buttherewasonlyonewayitcouldbedone，andthatwasformetogetintotheboatthatwastiedtothepostdownbythewater，andtakeittoher，foritwastoofarformetowalkaroundbytheheadofthebay。Now，thetroublewas，Ididn'tknownomoreaboutaboatandthemanagin'
　　ofitthananyoneofyousailormenknowsaboutclearstarchin'。
　　Buttherewasn'tnouseofthinkin'whatIknewandwhatIdidn'tknow，forIhadtotakeittoher，andtherewasnowayofdoin'
　　itexceptinthatboat。SoIfilledagalloncan，forIthoughtImightaswelltakeenoughwhileIwasaboutit，andIwentdowntothewaterandIunhitchedthatboatandIputtheoil-canintoher，andthenIgotin，andoffIstarted，andwhenIwasaboutaquarterofamilefromtheshore——"
　　"Madam，"interruptedCaptainBird，"didyourowor——orwasthereasailtotheboat？"
　　Thewidowlookedatthequestionerforamoment。"No，"
　　saidshe，"Ididn'trow。Iforgottobringtheoarsfromthehouse；butitdidn'tmatter，forIdidn'tknowhowtousethem，andiftherehadbeenasailIcouldn'thaveputitup，forI
　　didn'tknowhowtouseit，either。Iusedtheruddertomaketheboatgo。TherudderwastheonlythingIknewanythingabout。
　　I'dheldarudderwhenIwasalittlegirl，andIknewhowtoworkit。SoIjusttookholdofthehandleoftherudderandturneditroundandround，andthatmadetheboatgoahead，youknow，and——"
　　"Madam！"exclaimedCaptainBird，andtheotherelderlymarinerstooktheirpipesfromtheirmouths。
　　"Yes，thatisthewayIdidit，"continuedthewidow，briskly。"Bigsteamshipsaremadetogobyapropellerturningroundandroundattheirbackends，andImadetherudderworkinthesameway，andIgotalongverywell，too，untilsuddenly，whenIwasaboutaquarterofamilefromtheshore，amostterribleandawfulstormarose。Theremusthavebeenatyphoonoracycloneoutatsea，forthewavescameupthebaybiggerthanhouses，andwhentheygottotheheadofthebaytheyturnedaroundandtriedtogetouttoseaagain。Sointhiswaytheycontinuallymet，andmadethemostawfulandroarin'pilin'upofwavesthateverwasknown。
　　"Mylittleboatwaspitchedaboutasifithadbeenafeatherinabreeze，andwhenthefrontpartofitwascleavin'itselfdownintothewaterthehindpartwasstickin'upuntiltherudderwhizzedaroundlikeapatentchurnwithnomilkinit。
　　Thethunderbegantoroarandthelightnin'flashed，andthreeseagulls，sonearlyfrightenedtodeaththattheybegantoturnupthewhitesoftheireyes，flewdownandsatononeoftheseatsoftheboat，forgettin'inthatawfulmomentthatmanwastheirnat'ralenemy。Ihadacoupleofbiscuitsinmypocket，becauseIhadthoughtImightwantabiteincrossing，andI
　　crumbleduponeoftheseandfedthepoorcreatures。ThenI
　　begantowonderwhatIwasgoin'todo，forthingsweregettin'
　　awfullerandawfullereveryinstant，andthelittleboatwasa-
　　heavin'anda-pitchin'anda-rollin'andh'istin'itselfup，firstononeendandthenontheother，tosuchanextentthatifIhadn'tkepttightholdoftherudder-handleI'dslippedofftheseatIwassittin'on。
　　"AllofasuddenIrememberedthatoilinthecan；butjustasIwasputtin'myfingersonthecorkmyconsciencesmoteme。
　　`AmIgoin'tousethisoil，'Isaidtomyself，`andletmysister-in-law'shusbandbewreckedforwantofit？'AndthenI
　　thoughtthathewouldn'twantitallthatnight，andperhapstheywouldbuyoilthenextday，andsoIpouredoutaboutatumblerfulofitonthewater，andIcanjusttellyousailormenthatyouneversawanythingactaspromptasthatdid。Inthreeseconds，orperhapsfive，thewaterallaroundme，forthedistanceofasmallfrontyard，wasjustasflatasatableandassmoothasglass，andsoinvitin'inappearancethatthethreegullsjumpedoutoftheboatandbegantoswimaboutonit，primin'theirfeathersandlookin'atthemselvesinthetransparentdepths，thoughImustsaythatoneofthemmadeanawfulfaceashedippedhisbillintothewaterandtastedkerosene。
　　"NowIhadtimetositquietinthemidstoftheplacidspaceIhadmadeformyself，andrestfromworkin'oftherudder。
　　Trulyitwasawonderfulandmarvellousthingtolookat。Thewaveswasroarin'andleapin'upallaroundmehigherthantheroofofthishouse，andsometimestheirtopswouldreachoversothattheynearlymetandshutoutallviewofthestormysky，whichseemedasifitwasbein'torntopiecesbyblazin'
　　lightnin'，whilethethunderpealedsotremendousthatitalmostdrownedtheroarofthewaves。Notonlyaboveandallaroundmewaseverythingterrificandfearful，butevenundermeitwasthesame，fortherewasabigcrackinthebottomoftheboataswideasmyhand，andthroughthisIcouldseedownintothewaterbeneath，andtherewas——"
　　"Madam！"ejaculatedCaptainBird，thehandwhichhadbeenholdinghispipeafewinchesfromhismouthnowdroppingtohisknee；andatthismotionthehandswhichheldthepipesofthethreeothermarinersdroppedtotheirknees。
　　"Ofcourseitsoundsstrange，"continuedthewidow，"butI
　　knowthatpeoplecanseedownintoclearwater，andthewaterundermewasclear，andthecrackwaswideenoughformetoseethrough，anddownundermewassharksandswordfishesandotherhorriblewatercreatures，whichIhadneverseenbefore，alldrivenintothebay，Ihaven'tadoubt，bytheviolenceofthestormoutatsea。Thethoughtofmybein'upsetandfallin'inamongthosemonstersmademyverybloodruncold，andinvoluntary-likeIbegantoturnthehandleoftherudder，andinamomentIshotintoawallofragin'sea-waterthatwastowerin'
　　aroundme。ForasecondIwasfairlyblindedandstunned，butI
　　hadthecorkoutofthatoil-caninnotime，andverysoon——you'dscarcelybelieveitifItoldyouhowsoon——Ihadanotherplacidmill-pondsurroundin'ofme。Isattherea-pantin'andfannin'
　　withmystrawhat，foryou'dbetterbelieveIwasflustered，andthenIbegantothinkhowlongitwouldtakemetomakealineofmill-pondscleanacrosstheheadofthebay，andhowmuchoilitwouldneed，andwhetherIhadenough。SoIsatandcalculatedthatifatumblerfulofoilwouldmakeasmoothplaceaboutsevenyardsacross，whichIshouldsaywasthewidthoftheoneIwasin，——whichIcalculatedbyameasureofmyeyeastohowmanybreadthsofcarpetitwouldtaketocoverit，——andifthebaywastwomilesacrossbetwixtourhouseandmysister-in-law's，and，althoughIcouldn'tgetthethingdowntoexactfigures，IsawprettysoonthatIwouldn'thaveoilenoughtomakealevelcuttin'throughallthosemountainousbillows，andbesides，evenifIhadenoughtotakemeacross，whatwouldbethegoodofgoin'iftherewasn'tanyoillefttofillmysister-in-law'slamp？
　　"WhileIwasthinkin'andcalculatin'aperfectlydreadfulthinghappened，whichmademethinkifIdidn'tgetoutofthisprettysoonI'dfindmyselfinamightyriskypredicament。Theoil-can，whichIhadforgottentoputthecorkin，toppledover，andbeforeIcouldgrabiteverydropoftheoilranintothehindpartoftheboat，whereitwassoakedupbyalotofdrydustthatwasthere。NowondermyheartsankwhenIsawthis。
　　Glancin'wildlyaroundme，aspeoplewilldowhentheyarescared，IsawthesmoothplaceIwasingettin'smallerandsmaller，forthekerosenewasevaporatin'，asitwilldoevenoffwoollenclothesifyougiveittimeenough。ThefirstpondIhadcomeoutofseemedtobecoveredup，andthegreat，towerin'，throbbin'precipiceofsea-waterwasa-closin'aroundme。
　　"Castin'downmyeyesindespair，Ihappenedtolookthroughthecrackinthebottomoftheboat，andoh，whatablessedreliefitwas！fordownthereeverythingwassmoothandstill，andIcouldseethesandonthebottom，aslevelandhard，nodoubt，asitwasonthebeach。SuddenlythethoughtstruckmethatthatbottomwouldgivemetheonlychanceIhadofgettin'
　　outofthefrightfulfixIwasin。IfIcouldfillthatoil-canwithair，andthenputtin'itundermyarmandtakin'alongbreathifIcoulddropdownonthatsmoothbottom，Imightrunalongtowardshore，asfarasIcould，andthen，whenIfeltmybreathwasgivin'out，Icouldtakeapullattheoil-canandtakeanotherrun，andthentakeanotherpullandanotherrun，andperhapsthecanwouldholdairenoughformeuntilIgotnearenoughtoshoretowadetodryland。Tobesure，thesharksandothermonstersweredownthere，butthentheymusthavebeenawfullyfrightened，andperhapstheymightnotrememberthatmanwastheirnat'ralenemy。Anyway，Ithoughtitwouldbebettertotrythesmoothwaterpassagedowntherethanstayandbeswallowedupbytheragin'wavesontop。
　　"SoIblewthecanfullofairandcorkedit，andthenItoreupsomeoftheboardsfromthebottomoftheboatsoastomakeaholebigenoughformetogetthrough，——andyousailormenneedn'twrigglesowhenIsaythat，foryouallknowadivin'-bellhasn'tanybottomatallandthewaternevercomesin，——andsowhenI
　　gottheholebigenoughItooktheoil-canundermyarm，andwasjustabouttoslipdownthroughitwhenIsawanawfulturtlea-walkin'throughthesandatthebottom。Now，Imighttrustsharksandswordfishesandsea-serpentstobefrightenedandforgetabouttheirnat'ralenemies，butInevercouldtrustagrayturtleasbigasacart，withablackneckayardlong，withyellowbagstoitsjaws，toforgetanythingortorememberanything。I'daslievegetintoabath-tubwithalivecrabastogodownthere。Itwasn'tofnouseevensomuchasthinkin'
　　ofit，soIgaveupthatplananddidn'toncelookthroughthatholeagain。"
　　"Andwhatdidyoudo，madam？"askedCaptainBird，whowasregardingherwithafaceofstone。
　　"Iusedelectricity，"shesaid。"Nowdon'tstartasifyouhadashockofit。That'swhatIused。WhenIwasyoungerthanIwasthen，andsometimesvisitedfriendsinthecity，weoftenamusedourselvesbyrubbingourfeetonthecarpetuntilwegotourselvessofullofelectricitythatwecouldputupourfingersandlightthegas。SoIsaidtomyselfthatifIcouldgetfullofelectricityforthepurposeoflightin'thegasIcouldgetfullofitforotherpurposes，andso，withoutlosin'amoment，I
　　settowork。Istoodupononeoftheseats，whichwasdry，andIrubbedthebottomsofmyshoesbackwardandforwardonitwithsuchviolenceandswiftnessthattheyprettysoongotwarmandI
　　beganfillin'withelectricity，andwhenIwasfullychargedwithitfrommytoestothetopofmyhead，Ijustsprangintothewaterandswamashore。OfcourseIcouldn'tsink，bein'fullofelectricity。"
　　CaptainBirdheavedalongsighandrosetohisfeet，whereupontheothermarinersrosetotheirfeet"Madam，"saidCaptainBird，"what'stopayforthesupperand——therestoftheentertainment？"
　　"Thesupperistwenty-fivecentsapiece，"saidtheWidowDucket，"andeverythingelseisfree，gratis。"
　　Whereuponeachmarinerputhishandintohistrouserspocket，pulledoutasilverquarter，andhandedittothewidow。Then，withfoursolemn"Goodevenin's，"theywentouttothefrontgate。
　　"Castoff，CaptainJenkinson，"saidCaptainBird，"andyou，CaptainBurress，clewhimupfor'ard。Youcanstayinthebow，CaptainSanderson，andtakethesheet-lines。I'llgoaft。"
　　Allbeingready，eachoftheelderlymarinersclamberedoverawheel，andhavingseatedthemselves，theypreparedtolaytheircourseforCuppertown。
　　Butjustastheywereabouttostart，CaptainJenkinsonaskedthattheylaytoabit，andclamberingdownoverhiswheel，hereenteredthefrontgateandwentuptothedoorofthehouse，wherethewidowandDorcaswerestillstanding。
　　"Madam，"saidhe，"Ijustcamebacktoaskwhatbecameofyourbrother-in-lawthroughhiswife'snotbein'abletoputnolightinthewindow？"
　　"Thestormdrovehimashoreonoursideofthebay，"saidshe，"andthenextmornin'hecameuptoourhouse，andItoldhimallthathadhappenedtome。Andwhenhetookourboatandwenthomeandtoldthatstorytohiswife，shejustpackedupandwentoutWest，andgotdivorcedfromhim。Anditservedhimright，too。"
　　"Thankyou，ma'am，"saidCaptainJenkinson，andgoingoutofthegate，heclamberedupoverthewheel，andthewagonclearedforCuppertown。
　　Whentheelderlymarinersweregone，theWidowDucket，stillstandinginthedoor，turnedtoDorcas。
　　"Thinkofit！"shesaid。"Totellallthattome，inmyownhouse！AndafterIhadopenedmyonejarofbrandiedpeaches，thatI'dbeenkeepin'forspecialcompany！"
　　"Inyourownhouse！"ejaculatedDorcas。"Andnotoneofthembrandiedpeachesleft！"
　　Thewidowjingledthefourquartersinherhandbeforesheslippedthemintoherpocket。
　　"Anyway，Dorcas，"sheremarked，"Ithinkwecannowsaywearesquarewithalltheworld，andsolet'sgoinandwashthedishes。"
　　"Yes，"saidDorcas，"we'resquare。"
　　CAPTAINELI'SBESTEAR
　　ThelittleseasidevillageofSponkannisliessoquietlyuponaprotectedspotonourAtlanticcoastthatitmakesnomorestirintheworldthanwouldapebblewhich，heldbetweenone'sfingerandthumb，shouldbedippedbelowthesurfaceofamillpondandthendropped。Aboutthepost-officeandthestore——bothunderthesameroof——thegreaternumberofthehousescluster，asiftheyhadcomefortheirweek'sgroceries，orwerewaitingforthemail，whiletowardthewestthedwellingsbecomefewerandfewer，untilatlastthevillageblendsintoalongstretchofsandycoastandscrubbypine-woods。Eastwardthevillageendsabruptlyatthefootofawindsweptbluff，onwhichnoonecarestobuild。
　　Amongthelasthousesinthewesternendofthevillagestoodtwoneat，substantialdwellings，onebelongingtoCaptainEliBunker，andtheothertoCaptainCephasDyer。Thesehouseholdersweretwoveryrespectableretiredmariners，thefirstawidoweraboutfifty，andtheotherabachelorofperhapsthesameage，afewyearsmoreorlessmakingbutlittledifferenceinthisregionofweather-beatenyouthandseasonedage。
　　Eachofthesegoodcaptainslivedalone，andeachtookentirechargeofhisowndomesticaffairs，notbecausehewaspoor，butbecauseitpleasedhimtodoso。WhenCaptainEliretiredfromtheseahewastheownerofagoodvessel，whichhesoldatafairprofit；andCaptainCephashadmademoneyinmanyavoyagebeforehebuilthishouseinSponkannisandsettledthere。
　　WhenCaptainEli'swifewaslivingshewashishouseholdmanager。ButCaptainCephashadneverhadawomaninhishouse，exceptduringthefirstfewmonthsofhisoccupancy，whencertainfemaleneighborscameinoccasionallytoattendtolittlemattersofcleaningwhich，accordingtopopularnotions，properlybelongtothesphereofwoman。
　　ButCaptainCephassoonputanendtothissortofthing。Hedidnotlikeawoman'sways，especiallyherwaysofattendingtodomesticaffairs。Helikedtoliveinsailorfashion，andtokeephouseinsailorfashion。Inhisestablishmenteverythingwasshipshape，andeverythingwhichcouldbestowedawaywasstowedaway，and，ifpossible，inabunker。Thefloorswereholystonednearlyeveryday，andthewholehousewasrepaintedabouttwiceayear，alittleatatime，whentheweatherwassuitableforthismarinerecreation。Thingsnotinfrequentusewerelashedsecurelytothewalls，orperhapsputoutofthewaybybeinghauleduptotheceilingbymeansofblocksandtackle。
　　Hiscookingwasdonesailorfashion，likeeverythingelse，andheneverfailedtohaveplum-duffonSunday。Hiswellwasnearhishouse，andeverymorninghedroppedintoitaleadandline，andnoteddownthedepthofwater。Threetimesadayheenteredinalittlenote-bookthestateoftheweather，theheightofthemercuryinbarometerandthermometer，thedirectionofthewind，andspecialweatherpointswhennecessary。
　　CaptainElimanagedhisdomesticaffairsinanentirelydifferentway。Hekepthousewomanfashion——not，however，inthemannerofanordinarywoman，butafterthemannerofhislatewife，MirandaBunker，nowdeadsomesevenyears。Likehisfriend，CaptainCephas，hehadhadtheassistanceofhisfemaleneighborsduringtheearlierdaysofhiswidowerhood。ButhesoonfoundthatthesewomendidnotdothingsasMirandausedtodothem，and，althoughhefrequentlysuggestedthattheyshouldendeavortoimitatethemethodsofhislateconsort，theydidnoteventrytodothingsassheusedtodothem，preferringtheirownways。ThereforeitwasthatCaptainElideterminedtokeephousebyhimself，andtodoit，asnearlyashisnaturewouldallow，asMirandausedtodoit。Heswepthisdoorsandheshookhisdoor-mats；hewashedhispaintwithsoapandhotwater；hedustedhisfurniturewithasoftcloth，whichheafterwardsstuckbehindachestofdrawers。Hemadehisbedveryneatly，turningdownthesheetatthetop，andsettingthepillowuponedge，smoothingitcarefullyafterhehaddoneso。HiscookingwasbasedonthemethodsofthelateMiranda。Hehadneverbeenabletomakebreadriseproperly，buthehadalwayslikedship-
　　biscuit，andhenowgreatlypreferredthemtotherisenbreadmadebyhisneighbors。Andastocoffeeandtheplainerarticlesoffoodwithwhichhefurnishedhistable，evenMirandaherselfwouldnothaveobjectedtothemhadshebeenaliveandveryhungry。
　　Thehousesofthetwocaptainswerenotveryfarapart，andtheyweregoodneighbors，oftensmokingtheirpipestogetherandtalkingofthesea。ButthiswasalwaysonthelittleporchinfrontofCaptainCephas'shouse，orbyhiskitchenfireinthewinter。CaptainElididnotlikethesmelloftobaccosmokeinhishouse，oreveninfrontofitinsummer-time，whenthedoorswereopen。Hehadnoobjectionhimselftotheodoroftobacco，butitwascontrarytotheprinciplesofwomanhousekeepingthatroomsshouldsmellofit，andhewasalwaystruetothoseprinciples。
　　ItwaslateinacertainDecember，andthroughthevillagetherewasapleasantlittleflutterofChristmaspreparations。
　　CaptainElihadbeenuptothestore，andhehadstayedthereagoodwhile，warminghimselfbythestove，andwatchingthewomencomingintobuythingsforChristmas。Itwasstrangehowmanythingstheyboughtforpresentsorforholidayuse——fancysoapandcandy，handkerchiefsandlittlewoollenshawlsforoldpeople，andalotofprettylittlethingswhichheknewtheuseof，butwhichCaptainCephaswouldneverhaveunderstoodatallhadhebeenthere。
　　AsCaptainElicameoutofthestorehesawacartinwhichweretwogood-sizedChristmastrees，whichhadbeencutinthewoods，andweregoing，onetoCaptainHolmes'shouse，andtheothertoMotherNelson's。CaptainHolmeshadgrandchildren，andMotherNelson，withneverachildofherown，goodoldsoul，hadthreelittleorphannieceswhoneverwantedforanythingneedfulatChristmas-timeoranyothertime。
　　CaptainEliwalkedhomeveryslowly，takingobservationsinhismind。ItwasmorethansevenyearssincehehadhadanythingtodowithChristmas，exceptthatonthatdayhehadalwaysmadehimselfamince-pie，theconstructionandtheconsumptionofwhichwereequallydifficult。Itistruethatneighborshadinvitedhim，andtheyhadinvitedCaptainCephas，totheirChristmasdinners，butneitheroftheseworthyseamenhadeveracceptedanyoftheseinvitations。Evenholidayfood，whennotcookedinsailorfashion，didnotagreewithCaptainCephas，anditwouldhavepainedthegoodheartofCaptainEliifhehadbeenforcedtomakebelievetoenjoyaChristmasdinnersoveryinferiortothosewhichMirandausedtosetbeforehim。
　　ButnowtheheartofCaptainEliwasgentlymovedbyaChristmasflutter。Ithadbeenfoolish，perhaps，forhimtogouptothestoreatsuchatimeasthis，butthemischiefhadbeendone。Oldfeelingshadcomebacktohim，andhewouldbegladtocelebrateChristmasthisyearifhecouldthinkofanygoodwaytodoit。AndtheresultofhismentalobservationswasthathewentovertoCaptainCephas'shousetotalktohimaboutit。
　　CaptainCephaswasinhiskitchen，smokinghisthirdmorningpipe。CaptainElifilledhispipe，lightedit，andsatdownbythefire。
　　"Cap'n，"saidhe，"whatdoyousaytoourkeepinChristmasthisyear？AChristmasdinnerisnogoodifit'sgottobeeatalone，andyouandmemighteatourntogether。Itmightbeinmyhouse，oritmightbeinyourhouse——itwon'tmakenogreatdifferencetomewhich。Ofcourse，Ilikewomanhousekeepin'，asislaiddownintherulesofservicefermyhouse。ButnextbesttothatIlikesailorhousekeepin'，soIdon'tmindwhichhousethedinnerisin，Cap'nCephas，soitsuitsyou。"
　　CaptainCephastookhispipefromhismouth。"You'reprettylatethinkin'aboutit，"saidhe，"ferdayafterto-morrow'sChristmas。"
　　"Thatdon'tmakenodifference，"saidCaptainEli。"Whatthingswewantthatarenotinmyhouseoryourhousewecaneasilygeteitherupatthestoreorelseinthewoods。"
　　"Inthewoods！"exclaimedCaptainCephas。"WhatinthenameofthunderdoyouexpecttogetinthewoodsforChristmas？"
　　"AChristmastree，"saidCaptainEli。"IthoughtitmightbeanicethingtohaveaChristmastreeferChristmas。Cap'nHolmeshasgotone，andMotherNelson'sgotanother。Iguessnearlyeverybody'sgotone。Itwon'tcostanything——Icangoandcutit。"
　　CaptainCephasgrinnedagrin，asifagreatleakhadbeensprunginthesideofavessel，stretchingnearlyfromstemtostern。
　　"AChristmastree！"heexclaimed。"Well，Iamblessed！Butlookhere，Cap'nEli。Youdon'tknowwhataChristmastree'sfer。It'sferchildren，andnotfergrown-ups。NobodyeverdoeshaveaChristmastreeinanyhousewherethereain'tnochildren。"
　　CaptainEliroseandstoodwithhisbacktothefire。"I
　　didn'tthinkofthat，"hesaid，"butIguessit'sso。AndwhenI
　　cometothinkofit，aChristmasisn'tmuchofaChristmas，anyway，withoutchildren。"
　　"Youneverhadnone，"saidCaptainCephas，"andyou'vekeptChristmas。"
　　"Yes，"repliedCaptainEli，reflectively，"wediddoit，buttherewasalwaysalackment——Mirandahassaidso，andIhavesaidso。"
　　"Youdidn'thavenoChristmastree，"saidCaptainCephas。
　　"No，wedidn't。ButIdon'tthinkthatfolkswasasmuchsetonChristmastreesthenasthey'peartobenow。Iwonder，"hecontinued，thoughtfullygazingattheceiling，"ifwewastofixupaChristmastree——andyouandme'sgotalotofprettythingsthatwe'vepickedupallovertheworld，thatwouldgomilesaheadofanythingthatcouldbeboughtatthestoreferChristmastrees——ifwewastofixupatreerealnice，ifwecouldn'tgetsomechildorotherthatwasn'tlikelytohaveatreetocomeinandlookatit，andstayawhile，andmakeChristmasmorelikeChristmas。Andthen，whenitwentaway，itcouldtakealongthethingsthatwashangin'onthetree，andkeep'emferitsown。"
　　"Thatwouldn'twork，"saidCaptainCephas。"Ifyougetachildintothisbusiness，youmustletithangupitsstockin'
　　beforeitgoestobed，andfinditfullinthemornin'，andthentellitanall-firedlieaboutSantaClausifitasksanyquestions。Mostchildrenthinkmoreofstockin'sthantheydooftrees——soI'veheard，atleast。"
　　"I'vegotnoobjectionstostockin's，"saidCaptainEli。"Ifitwantedtohangoneup，itcouldhangoneupeitherhereorinmyhouse，whereverwekeptChristmas。"
　　"Youcouldn'tkeepachildallnight，"sardonicallyremarkedCaptainCephas，"andnomorecouldI。Ferifitwastogetupacroupinthenight，itwouldbeasifwewasonaleeshorewithanchorsdraggin'andagalea-blowin'。"
　　"That'sso，"saidCaptainEli。"You'veputitfair。I
　　supposeifwedidkeepachildallnight，we'dhavetohavesomesortofawomanwithinhailincaseofasuddenblow。"
　　CaptainCephassniffed。"What'sthegoodoftalkin'？"saidhe。"Thereain'tnochild，andthereain'tnowomanthatyoucouldhiretositallnightonmyfrontsteporonyourfrontstep，a-waitin'tobepipedondeckincaseofcroup。"
　　"No，"saidCaptainEli。"Idon'tsupposethere'sanychildinthisvillagethatain'tgoin'tobeprovidedwithaChristmastreeoraChristmasstockin'，orperhapsboth——except，nowIcometothinkofit，thatlittlegalthatwasbroughtdownherewithhermotherlastsummer，andhasbeenkeptbyMrs。Crumleysencehermotherdied。"
　　"Andwon'tbekeptmuchlonger，"saidCaptainCephas，"ferI'vehearnMrs。Crumleysayshecouldn'taffordit。"
　　"That'sso，"saidCaptainEli。"Ifshecan'taffordtokeepthelittlegal，shecan'taffordtogivenoChristmastreesnorstockin's，andsoitseemstome，cap'n，thatthatlittlegalwouldbeaprettygoodchildtohelpuskeepChristmas。"
　　"You'reallthetimeforgettin'，"saidtheother，"thatnutherofuscankeepachildallnight。"
　　CaptainEliseatedhimself，andlookedponderinglyintothefire。"You'reright，cap'n，"saidhe。"We'dhavetoshipsomewomantotakecareofher。Ofcourse，itwouldn'tbenousetoaskMrs。Crumley？"
　　CaptainCephaslaughed。"Ishouldsaynot。"
　　"Andtheredoesn'tseemtobeanybodyelse，"saidhiscompanion。"Canyouthinkofanybody，cap'n？"
　　"Thereain'tanybodytothinkof，"repliedCaptainCephas，"unlessitmightbeElizaTrimmer。She'sgenerallyreadyenoughtodoanythingthatturnsup。Butshewouldn'tbenogood——herhouseistoofarawayforeitheryouormetohailherincaseacroupcameupsuddint。"
　　"That'sso，"saidCaptainEli。"Shedoeslivealongwayoff。"
　　"Sothatsettlesthewholebusiness，"saidCaptainCephas。
　　"She'stoofarawaytocomeifwanted，andnutherofuscouldn'tkeepnochildwithoutsomebodytocomeiftheywaswanted，andit'snousetohaveaChristmastreewithoutachild。A
　　ChristmaswithoutaChristmastreedon'tseemagreeabletoyou，cap'n，soIguesswe'dbettergetalongjustthesameaswe'vebeeninthehabitofdoin'，andeatourChristmasdinner，aswedoourothermealsinourownhouses。"
　　CaptainElilookedintothefire。"Idon'tliketogiveupthingsifIcanhelpit。Thatwasalwaysmyway。Ifwindandtide'sag'in'me，Icanwaittilloneortheother，orbothofthem，serve。"
　　"Yes，"saidCaptainCephas，"youwasalwaysthatkindofaman。"
　　"That'sso。Butitdoes'peartomeasifI'dhavetogiveupthistime，thoughit'sapitytodoit，onaccountofthelittlegal，fersheain'tlikelytohaveanyChristmasthisyear。
　　She'sanicelittlegal，andtakesasnaturaltonavigationasifshe'dbeenbornatsea。I'vegivenhertwoorthreethingsbecauseshe'ssopretty，butthere'snothingshelikessomuchasalittleshipIgaveher。"
　　"Perhapsshewasbornatsea，"remarkedCaptainCephas。
　　"Perhapsshewas，"saidtheother；"andthatmakesitthebiggerpity。"
　　Forafewmomentsnothingwassaid。ThenCaptainElisuddenlyexclaimed，"I'lltellyouwhatwemightdo，cap'n！WemightaskMrs。Trimmertolendahandingivin'thelittlegalaChristmas。Sheain'tgotnobodyinherhousebutherself，andI
　　guessshe'dbegladenoughtohelpgivethatlittlegalaregularChristmas。Shecouldgoandgetthechild，andbringhertoyourhouseortomyhouse，orwhereverwe'regoin'tokeepChristmas，and——"
　　"Well，"saidCaptainCephas，withanairofscrutinizinginquiry，"what？"
　　"Well，"repliedtheother，alittlehesitatingly，"sofarasI'mconcerned，——thatis，Idon'tmindonewayortheother，——shemighttakeherChristmasdinneralongwithusandthelittlegal，andthenshecouldfixherstockin'tobehungup，andhelpwiththeChristmastree，and——"
　　"Well，"demandedCaptainCephas，"what？"
　　"Well，"saidCaptainEli，"shecould——thatis，itdoesn'tmakeanydifferencetomeonewayortheother——shemightstayallnightatwhateverhousewekeptChristmasin，andthenyouandmemightspendthenightintheotherhouse，andthenshecouldbereadytheretohelpthechildinthemornin'，whenshecametolookatherstockin'。"
　　CaptainCephasfixeduponhisfriendanearnestglare。
　　"That'sprettyconsiderableofanideatocomeuponyousosuddint，"saidhe。"ButIcantellyouonething：thereain'ta-
　　goin'tobeanysuchdoin'sinmyhouse。Ifyouchoosetocomeoverheretosleep，andgiveupyourhousetoanywomanyoucanfindtotakecareofthelittlegal，allright。Butthethingcan'tbedonehere。"
　　Therewasacertainseverityintheseremarks，buttheyappearedtoaffectCaptainEliverypleasantly。
　　"Well，"saidhe，"ifyou'resatisfied，Iam。I'llagreetoanyplanyouchoosetomake。Itdoesn'tmattertomewhichhouseit'sin，andifyousaymyhouse，Isaymyhouse。AllIwantistomakethebusinessagreeabletoallconcerned。Nowit'stimefermetogotomydinner，andthisafternoonwe'dbettergoandtrytogetthingsstraightenedout，becausethelittlegal，andwhateverwomancomeswithher，oughttobeatmyhouseto-morrowbeforedark。S'posin'wedivideupthisbusiness：I'llgoandseeMrs。Crumleyaboutthelittlegal，andyoucangoandseeMrs。Trimmer。"
　　"No，sir，"promptlyrepliedCaptainCephas，"Idon'tgotoseenoMrs。Trimmer。Youcanseebothofthemjustthesameasyoucanseeone——they'reallalongthesameway。I'llgocuttheChristmastree。"
　　"Allright，"saidCaptainEli。"Itdon'tmakenodifferencetomewhichdoeswhich。ButifIwasyou，cap'n，I'dcutagoodbigtree，becausewemightaswellhaveagoodonewhilewe'reaboutit。"
　　Whenhehadeatenhisdinner，andwasheduphisdishes，andhadputeverythingawayinneat，housewifelyorder，CaptainEliwenttoMrs。Crumley'shouse，andverysoonfinishedhisbusinessthere。Mrs。Crumleykepttheonlyhousewhichmightbeconsideredaboarding-houseinthevillageofSponkannis；andwhenshehadconsentedtotakechargeofthelittlegirlwhohadbeenleftonherhandsshehadhopeditwouldnotbeverylongbeforeshewouldhearfromsomeofherrelativesinregardtohermaintenance。Butshehadheardnothing，andhadnowceasedtoexpecttohearanything，andinconsequencehadfrequentlyremarkedthatshemustdisposeofthechildsomewayorother，forshecouldn'taffordtokeepheranylonger。Evenanabsenceofadayortwoatthehouseofthegoodcaptainwouldbesomerelief，andMrs。CrumleyreadilyconsentedtotheChristmasscheme。Astothelittlegirl，shewasdelighted。ShealreadylookeduponCaptainEliasherbestfriendintheworld。
　　ItwasnotsoeasytogotoMrs。Trimmer'shouseandputthebusinessbeforeher。"Itoughttobeplainsailin'enough，"
　　CaptainElisaidtohimself，overandoveragain，"but，ferallthat，itdon'tseemtobeplainsailin'。"
　　Buthewasnotamantobedeterredbydifficultnavigation，andhewalkedstraighttoElizaTrimmer'shouse。
　　Mrs。Trimmerwasacomelywomanaboutthirty-five，whohadcometothevillageayearbefore，andhadmaintainedherself，oratleasthadtriedto，bydressmakingandplainsewing。ShehadlivedatStetford，aseaportabouttwentymilesaway，andfromthere，threeyearsbefore，herhusband，CaptainTrimmer，hadsailedawayinagood-sizedschooner，andhadneverreturned。
　　ShehadcometoSponkannisbecauseshethoughtthatthereshecouldlivecheaperandgetmoreworkthaninherformerhome。
　　Shehadfoundthefirstquitepossible，buthersuccessinregardtotheworkhadnotbeenverygreat。
　　WhenCaptainElienteredMrs。Trimmer'slittleroom，hefoundherbusymendingasail。Herefortunefavoredhim。"Youturnyourhandto'mostanything，Mrs。Trimmer，"saidhe，afterhehadgreetedher。
　　"Oh，yes，"sheanswered，withasmile，"Iamobligedtodothat。Mendingsailsisprettyheavywork，butit'sbetterthannothing。"
　　"Ihadanotion，"saidhe，"thatyouwasreadytoturnyourhandtoanygoodkindofbusiness，soIthoughtIwouldstepinandaskyouifyou'dturnyourhandtoalittlebitofbusinessI'vegotonthestocks。"
　　Shestoppedsewingonthesail，andlistenedwhileCaptainElilaidhisplanbeforeher。"It'sverykindinyouandCaptainCephastothinkofallthat，"saidshe。"Ihaveoftennoticedthatpoorlittlegirl，andpitiedher。CertainlyI'llcome，andyouneedn'tsayanythingaboutpayingmeforit。Iwouldn'tthinkofaskingtobepaidfordoingathinglikethat。Andbesides，"——shesmiledagainasshespoke，——"ifyouaregoingtogivemeaChristmasdinner，asyousay，thatwillmakethingsmorethansquare。"
　　CaptainElididnotexactlyagreewithher，buthewasinverygoodhumor，andshewasingoodhumor，andthematterwassoonsettled，andMrs。Trimmerpromisedtocometothecaptain'shouseinthemorningandhelpabouttheChristmastree，andintheafternoontogotogetthelittlegirlfromMrs。Crumley'sandbringhertothehouse。
　　CaptainEliwasdelightedwiththearrangements。"Thingsnowseemtobegoin'alongbeforeaspankin'breeze，"saidhe。"ButI
　　don'tknowaboutthedinner。Iguessyouwillhavetoleavethattome。Idon'tbelieveCaptainCephascouldeatawoman-
　　cookeddinner。He'saccustomedtolivinsailorfashion，youknow，andhehasdeclaredoverandoveragaintomethatwoman-
　　cookin'doesn'tagreewithhim。"
　　"ButIcancooksailorfashion，"saidMrs。Trimmer，——"justasmuchsailorfashionasyouorCaptainCephas，andifhedon'tbelieveit，I'llproveittohim；soyouneedn'tworryaboutthat。"
　　Whenthecaptainhadgone，Mrs。Trimmergaylyputawaythesail。Therewasnoneedtofinishitinahurry，andnoknowingwhenshewouldgethermoneyforitwhenitwasdone。NoonehadaskedhertoaChristmasdinnerthatyear，andshehadexpectedtohavealonelytimeofit。ButitwouldbeverypleasanttospendChristmaswiththelittlegirlandthetwogoodcaptains。
　　Insteadofsewinganymoreonthesail，shegotoutsomeofherownclothestoseeiftheyneededanythingdonetothem。
　　ThenextmorningMrs。TrimmerwenttoCaptainEli'shouse，andfindingCaptainCephasthere，theyallsettoworkattheChristmastree，whichwasaveryfineone，andhadbeenplantedinabox。CaptainCephashadbroughtoverabundleofthingsfromhishouse，andCaptainElikeptrunninghereandthere，bringing，eachtimethathereturned，somenewobject，wonderfulorpretty，whichhehadbroughtfromChinaorJapanorCorea，orsomespicyislandoftheEasternseas；andnearlyeverytimehecamewiththesetreasuresMrs。TrimmerdeclaredthatsuchthingsweretoogoodtoputuponaChristmastree，evenforsuchanicelittlegirlastheoneforwhichthattreewasintended。ThepresentswhichCaptainCephasbroughtweremuchmoresuitableforthepurpose；theywereoddandfunny，andsomeofthempretty，butnotexpensive，aswerethefansandbitsofshellworkandcarvedivorieswhichCaptainEliwishedtotieuponthetwigsofthetree。
　　Therewasagooddealoftalkaboutallthis，butCaptainElihadhisownway。
　　"Idon'tsuppose，afterall，"saidhe，"thatthelittlegaloughttohaveallthethings。Thisissuchabigtreethatit'smorelikeafamilytree。Cap'nCephascantakesomeofmythings，andIcantakesomeofhisthings，and，Mrs。Trimmer，ifthere'sanythingyoulike，youcancallityourpresentandtakeitforyourown，sothatwillbefairandcomfortableallround。
　　WhatIwantistomakeeverybodysatisfied。"
　　"I'msureIthinktheyoughttobe，"saidMrs。Trimmer，lookingverykindlyatCaptainEli。
　　Mrs。Trimmerwenthometoherownhousetodinner，andintheafternoonshebroughtthelittlegirl。Shehadsaidthereoughttobeanearlysupper，sothatthechildwouldhavetimetoenjoytheChristmastreebeforeshebecamesleepy。
　　ThismealwaspreparedentirelybyCaptainEli，andinsailorfashion，notwomanfashion，sothatCaptainCephascouldmakenoexcuseforeatinghissupperathome。OfcoursetheyalloughttobetogetherthewholeofthatChristmaseve。Asforthebigdinneronthemorrow，thatwasanotheraffair，forMrs。TrimmerundertooktomakeCaptainCephasunderstandthatshehadalwayscookedforCaptainTrimmerinsailorfashion，andifheobjectedtoherplum-duff，orifanybodyelseobjectedtohermince-pie，shewasgoingtobeverymuchsurprised。
　　CaptainCephasatehissupperwithagoodrelish，andwasstilleatingwhentheresthadfinished。AstotheChristmastree，itwasthemostvaluable，ifnotthemostbeautiful，thathadeverbeensetupinthatregion。Ithadnocandlesuponit，butwaslightedbythreelampsandaship'slanternplacedinthefourcornersoftheroom，andthelittlegirlwasashappyasifthetreeweredecoratedwithlittledollsandglassballs。Mrs。
　　Trimmerwasintenselypleasedandinterestedtoseethechildsohappy，andCaptainEliwasmuchpleasedandinterestedtoseethechildandMrs。Trimmersohappy，andCaptainCephaswasinterested，andperhapsalittleamusedinasuperiorfashion，toseeCaptainEliandMrs。Trimmerandthelittlechildsohappy。
　　Thenthedistributionofthepresentsbegan。CaptainEliaskedCaptainCephasifhemighthavethewoodenpipethatthelatterhadbroughtforhispresent。CaptainCephassaidhemighttakeit，forallhecared，andbewelcometoit。ThenCaptainEligaveCaptainCephasaredbandannahandkerchiefofaverycuriouspattern，andCaptainCephasthankedhimkindly。AfterwhichCaptainElibestoweduponMrs。Trimmeramostbeautifultortoise-shellcomb，carvedandcutandpolishedinawonderfulway，andwithithegaveatortoise-shellfan，carvedinthesamefashion，becausehesaidthetwothingsseemedtobelongtoeachotherandoughttogotogether；andhewouldnotlistentoonewordofwhatMrs。Trimmersaidaboutthegiftsbeingtoogoodforher，andthatshewasnotlikelyevertousethem。
　　"Itseemstome，"saidCaptainCephas，"thatyoumightbegivingsomethingtothelittlegal。"
　　ThenCaptainElirememberedthatthechildoughtnottobeforgotten，andhersoulwasliftedintoecstasybymanygifts，someofwhichMrs。Trimmerdeclaredweretoogoodforanychildinthiswide，wideworld。ButCaptainEliansweredthattheycouldbetakencareofbysomebodyuntilthelittlegirlwasoldenoughtoknowtheirvalue。
　　Thenitwasdiscoveredthat，unbeknowntoanybodyelse，Mrs。
　　Trimmerhadputsomepresentsonthetree，whichwerethingswhichhadbeenbroughtbyCaptainTrimmerfromsomewhereinthefarEastorthedistantWest。TheseshebestoweduponCaptainCephasandCaptainEli。AndtheendofallthiswasthatinthewholeofSponkannis，fromthefootoftheblufftotheeast，totheverylasthouseontheshoretothewest，therewasnotoneChristmasevepartysohappyasthisone。
　　CaptainCephaswasnotquitesohappyasthethreeotherswere，buthewasverymuchinterested。Aboutnineo'clockthepartybrokeup，andthetwocaptainsputontheircapsandbuttoneduptheirpea-jackets，andstartedforCaptainCephas'shouse，butnotbeforeCaptainElihadcarefullyfastenedeverywindowandeverydoorexceptthefrontdoor，andhadtoldMrs。
　　Trimmerhowtofastenthatwhentheyhadgone，andhadgivenheraboatswain'swhistle，whichshemightblowoutofthewindowifthereshouldbeasuddencroupanditshouldbenecessaryforanyonetogoanywhere。Hewassurehecouldhearit，forthewindwasexactlyrightforhimtohearawhistlefromhishouse。WhentheyhadgoneMrs。Trimmerputthelittlegirltobed，andwasdelightedtofindinwhatawonderfullyneatandwomanlikefashionthathousewaskept。
　　Itwasnearlytwelveo'clockthatnightwhenCaptainEli，sleepinginhisbunkoppositethatofCaptainCephas，wasarousedbyhearingasound。Hehadbeenlyingwithhisbestearuppermost，sothatheshouldhearanythingiftherehappenedtobeanythingtohear。Hedidhearsomething，butitwasnotaboatswain'swhistle；itwasaprolongedcry，anditseemedtocomefromthesea。
　　InamomentCaptainEliwassittingonthesideofhisbunk，listeningintently。Againcamethecry。Thewindowtowardtheseawasslightlyopen，andhehearditplainly。
　　"Cap'n！"saidhe，andatthewordCaptainCephaswassittingonthesideofhisbunk，listening。Heknewfromhiscompanion'sattitude，plainlyvisibleinthelightofalanternwhichhungonahookattheotherendoftheroom，thathehadbeenawakenedtolisten。Againcamethecry。
　　"That'sdistressatsea，"saidCaptainCephas。"Harken！"
　　Theylistenedagainfornearlyaminute，whenthecrywasrepeated。
　　"Bounceondeck，boys！"saidCaptainCephas，gettingoutonthefloor。"There'ssomeoneindistressoffshore。"
　　CaptainElijumpedtothefloor，andbegantodressquickly。
　　"Itcouldn'tbeacallfromland？"heaskedhurriedly。"Itdon'tsoundabittoyoulikeaboatswain'swhistle，doesit？"
　　"No，"saidCaptainCephas，disdainfully。"It'sacallfromsea。"Then，seizingalantern，herusheddownthecompanionway。
　　Assoonashewasconvincedthatitwasacallfromsea，CaptainEliwasoneinfeelingandactionwithCaptainCephas。
　　Thelatterhastilyopenedthedraughtsofthekitchenstove，andputonsomewood，andbythetimethiswasdoneCaptainElihadthekettlefilledandonthestove。Thentheyclappedontheircapsandtheirpea-jackets，eachtookanoarfromacornerinthebackhall，andtogethertheyrandowntothebeach。
　　Thenightwasdark，butnotverycold，andCaptainCephashadbeentothestorethatmorninginhisboat。
　　Wheneverhewenttothestore，andtheweatherpermitted，herowedthereinhisboatratherthanwalk。Atthebowoftheboat，whichwasnowdrawnuponthesand，thetwomenstoodandlistened。Againcamethecryfromthesea。
　　"It'ssomethingashoreontheTurtle-backShoal，"saidCaptainCephas。
　　"Yes，"saidCaptainEli，"andit'ssomesmallcraft，ferthatcryisdownprettynightothewater。"
　　"Yes，"saidCaptainCephas。"Andthere'sonlyonemanaboard，orelsethey'dtaketurnsa-hollerin'。"
　　"He'sastranger，"saidCaptainEli，"orhewouldn'thavetried，evenwithacat-boat，togetinoverthatshoalonebb-
　　tide。"
　　Astheyspoketheyrantheboatoutintothewaterandjumpedin，eachwithanoar。ThentheypulledfortheTurtle-backShoal。
　　Althoughthesetwocaptainsweremenoffiftyorthereabout，theywereasstrongandtoughasanyyoungfellowsinthevillage，andtheypulledwithsteadystrokes，andsenttheheavyboatskimmingoverthewater，notinastraightlinetowardtheTurtle-backShoal，butnowafewpointsinthedarknessthisway，andnowafewpointsinthedarknessthatway，thenwithagreatcurvetothesouththroughthedarknight，keepingalwaysnearthemiddleoftheonlygoodchanneloutofthebaywhenthetidewasebbing。
　　Nowthecriesfromseawardhadceased，butthetwocaptainswerenotdiscouraged。
　　"He'sheardthethumpin'ofouroars，"saidCaptainCephas。
　　"He'slistenin'，andhe'llsingoutagainifhethinkswe'regoin'wrong，"saidCaptainEli。"Ofcoursehedoesn'tknowanythingaboutthat。"
　　Andsowhentheymadethesweeptothesouththecrycameagain，andCaptainEligrinned。"Weneedn'ttospendnobreathhollerin'，"saidhe。"He'llhearusmakin'ferhiminaminute。"
　　Whentheycametoheadfortheshoaltheylayontheiroarsforamoment，whileCaptainCephasturnedthelanterninthebow，sothatitslightshoneoutahead。Hehadnotwantedtheshipwreckedpersontoseethelightwhenitwouldseemasiftheboatwererowingawayfromhim。Hehadheardofcastawaypeoplewhobecamesowildwhentheyimaginedthatashiporboatwasgoingawayfromthemthattheyjumpedoverboard。
　　Whenthetwocaptainsreachedtheshoal，theyfoundthereacat-boataground，withonemanaboard。Histalewasquicklytold。Hehadexpectedtorunintothelittlebaythatafternoon，butthewindhadfallen，andintryingtogetinafterdark，andbeingastranger，hehadrunaground。Ifhehadnotbeensocold，hesaid，hewouldhavebeenwillingtostaytheretillthetiderose；buthewasgettingchilled，andseeingalightnotfaraway，heconcludedtocallforhelpaslongashisvoiceheldout。
　　Thetwocaptainsdidnotaskmanyquestions。Theyhelpedanchorthecat-boat，andthentheytookthemanontheirboatandrowedhimtoshore。Hewasgettingchilledsittingouttheredoingnothing，andsowhentheyreachedthehousetheymadehimsomehotgrog，andpromisedinthemorning，whenthetiderose，theywouldgooutandhelphimbringhisboatin。ThenCaptainCephasshowedthestrangertoabunk，andtheyallwenttobed。
　　Suchexperienceshadnotenoughofnoveltytothegoodcaptainstokeepthemawakefiveminutes。
　　Inthemorningtheywereallupveryearly，andthestranger，whoprovedtobeaseafaringmanwithbrightblueeyes，saidthat，ashiscat-boatseemedtoberidingallrightatitsanchorage，hedidnotcaretogooutafterherjustyet。Anytimeduringflood-tidewoulddoforhim，andhehadsomebusinessthathewantedtoattendtoassoonaspossible。
　　Thissuitedthetwocaptainsverywell，fortheywishedtobeonhandwhenthelittlegirldiscoveredherstocking。
　　"Canyoutellme，"saidthestranger，asheputonhiscap，"whereIcanfindaMrs。Trimmer，wholivesinthisvillage？"
　　Atthesewordsallthesturdystiffnesswhich，fromhisyouthup，hadcharacterizedthelegsofCaptainElientirelywentoutofthem，andhesatsuddenlyuponabench。Forafewmomentstherewassilence。
　　ThenCaptainCephas，whothoughtsomeanswershouldbemadetothequestion，noddedhishead。
　　"IwanttoseeherassoonasIcan，"saidthestranger。"Ihavecometoseeheronparticularbusinessthatwillbeasurprisetoher。IwantedtobeherebeforeChristmasbegan，andthat'sthereasonItookthatcat-boatfromStetford，becauseIthoughtI'dcomequickerthatwaythanbyland。Butthewindfell，asItoldyou。IfeitheroneofyouwouldbegoodenoughtopilotmetowhereMrs。Trimmerlives，ortoanypointwhereIcangetasightoftheplace，I'dbeobliged。"
　　CaptainEliroseandwithhurriedbutunsteadystepswentintothehousefortheyhadbeenuponthelittlepiazza，andbeckonedtohisfriendtofollow。Thetwomenstoodinthekitchenandlookedateachother。ThefaceofCaptainEliwasofthehueofaclam-shell。
　　"Gowithhim，cap'n，"hesaidinahoarsewhisper。"Ican'tdoit。"
　　"Toyourhouse？"inquiredtheother。
　　"Ofcourse。Takehimtomyhouse。Thereain'tnootherplacewheresheis。Takehimalong。"
　　CaptainCephas'scountenanceworeanairofthedeepestconcern，buthethoughtthatthebestthingtodowastogetthestrangeraway。
　　AstheywalkedrapidlytowardCaptainEli'shousetherewasverylittlesaidbyeitherCaptainCephasorthestranger。ThelatterseemedanxioustogiveMrs。Trimmerasurprise，andnottosayanythingwhichmightenableanotherpersontointerferewithhisproject。
　　ThetwomenhadscarcelysteppeduponthepiazzawhenMrs。
　　Trimmer，whohadbeenexpectingearlyvisitors，openedthedoor。
　　Shewasabouttocallout"MerryChristmas！"but，hereyesfallinguponastranger，thewordsstoppedatherlips。
　　Firstsheturnedred，thensheturnedpale，andCaptainCephasthoughtshewasabouttofall。Butbeforeshecoulddothisthestrangerhadherinhisarms。Sheopenedhereyes，whichforamomentshehadclosed，and，gazingintohisface，sheputherarmsaroundhisneck。ThenCaptainCephascameaway，withoutthinkingofthelittlegirlandthepleasureshewouldhaveindiscoveringherChristmasstocking。
　　Whenhehadbeenleftalone，CaptainElisatdownnearthekitchenstove，closetotheverykettlewhichhehadfilledwithwatertoheatforthebenefitofthemanhehadhelpedbringinfromthesea，and，withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhisfingersinhishair，hedarklypondered。
　　"IfI'donlysleptwithmyhard-o'-hearin'earup，"hesaidtohimself，"I'dneverhaveheardit。"
　　Inafewmomentshisbetternaturecondemnedthisthought。
　　"That'snexttomurder，"hemuttered，"ferhecouldn'thavekepthimselffromfallin'asleepoutthereinthecold，andwhenthetiderizheldhavebeenblowedouttoseawiththiswind。IfIhadn'theardhim，CaptainCephasneverwould，ferhewasn'tprimeduptowake，asIwas。"
　　But，notwithstandinghisbetternature，CaptainEliwasagainsayingtohimself，whenhisfriendreturned，"IfI'donlysleptwithmyotherearup！"
　　Likethehonest，straightforwardmarinerhewas，CaptainCephasmadeanexactreportofthefacts。"Theywashuggin'whenIleftthem，"hesaid，"andIexpecttheywentindoorsprettysoon，feritwastoocoldoutside。It'sanall-firedshameshehappenedtobeinyourhouse，cap'n，that'sallI'vegottosayaboutit。It'sathunderin'shame。"
　　CaptainElimadenoanswer。Hestillsatwithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhishandsinhishair。
　　"AbettercoursethanyoulaiddownfertheseChristmastimeswasneverdottedonachart，"continuedCaptainCephas。"Fromportofsailin'toportofentryyoulaiditdownclearandfine。
　　Butitseemstherewasrocksthatwasn'tmarkedonthechart。"
　　"Yes，"groanedCaptainEli，"therewasrocks。"
　　CaptainCephasmadenoattempttocomforthisfriend，butwenttoworktogetbreakfast。
　　Whenthatmeal——arathersilentone——wasover，CaptainElifeltbetter。"Therewasrocks，"hesaid，"andnotabreakertoshowwheretheylay，andIstruck'embowon。Sothat'stheendofthatvoyage。ButI'vetuktomyboats，cap'n，I'vetuktomyboats。"
　　"I'mgladtohearyou'vetuktoyourboats，"saidCaptainCephas，withanapprovingglanceuponhisfriend。
　　AbouttenminutesafterwardsCaptainElisaid，"I'mgoin'uptomyhouse。"
　　"Byyourself？"saidtheother。
　　"Yes，bymyself。I'drathergoalone。Idon'tintendtomindanything，andI'mgoin'totellherthatshecanstaythereandspendChristmas，——theplaceshelivesinain'tnoplacetospendChristmas，——andshecanmakethelittlegalhaveagoodtime，andgo'longjustasweintendedtogo'long——plum-duffandmince-pieallthesame。Icanstayhere，andyouandmecanhaveourChristmasdinnertogether，ifwechoosetogiveitthatname。
　　Andifsheain'treadytogoto-morrow，shecanstayadayortwolonger。It'sallthesametome，ifit'sthesametoyou，cap'n。"
　　CaptainCephashavingsaidthatitwasthesametohim，CaptainEliputonhiscapandbuttoneduphispea-jacket，declaringthatthesoonerhegottohishousethebetter，asshemightbethinkingthatshewouldhavetomoveoutofitnowthatthingsweredifferent。
　　BeforeCaptainElireachedhishousehesawsomethingwhichpleasedhim。Hesawthesea-goingstranger，withhisbacktowardhim，walkingrapidlyinthedirectionofthevillagestore。
　　CaptainEliquicklyenteredhishouse，andinthedoorwayoftheroomwherethetreewashemetMrs。Trimmer，beamingbrighterthananymorningsunthateverrose。
　　"MerryChristmas！"sheexclaimed，holdingoutbothherhands。
　　"I'vebeenwonderingandwonderingwhenyou'dcometobidme`MerryChristmas'——themerriestChristmasI'veeverhad。"
　　CaptainElitookherhandsandbidher"MerryChristmas"verygravely。
　　Shelookedalittlesurprised。"What'sthematter，CaptainEli？"
　　sheexclaimed。"Youdon'tseemtosaythatasifyoumeantit。"
　　"Oh，yes，Ido，"heanswered。"Thismustbeanall-fired——I
　　meanathunderin'happyChristmasferyou，Mrs。Trimmer。"
　　"Yes，"saidshe，herfacebeamingagain。"AndtothinkthatitshouldhappenonChristmasday——thatthisblessedmorning，beforeanythingelsehappened，myBob，myonlybrother，should——"
　　"Yourwhat！"roaredCaptainEli，asifhehadbeenshoutingordersinaragingstorm。
　　Mrs。Trimmersteppedbackalmostfrightened。"Mybrother，"
　　saidshe。"Didn'thetellyouhewasmybrother——mybrotherBob，whosailedawayayearbeforeIwasmarried，andwhohasbeeninAfricaandChinaandIdon'tknowwhere？It'ssolongsinceI
　　heardthathe'dgoneintotradingatSingaporethatI'dgivenhimupasmarriedandsettledinforeignparts。Andherehehascometomeasifhe'dtumbledfromtheskyonthisblessedChristmasmorning。"
　　CaptainElimadeastepforward，hisfaceverymuchflushed。
　　"Yourbrother，Mrs。Trimmer——didyoureallysayitwasyourbrother？"
　　"Ofcourseitis，"saidshe。"Whoelsecoulditbe？"Thenshepausedforamomentandlookedsteadfastlyatthecaptain。
　　"Youdon'tmeantosay，CaptainEli，"sheasked，"thatyouthoughtitwas——"
　　"Yes，Idid，"saidCaptainEli，promptly。
　　Mrs。Trimmerlookedstraightinthecaptain'seyes，thenshelookedontheground。Thenshechangedcolorandchangedbackagain。
　　"Idon'tunderstand，"shesaidhesitatingly，"why——Imeanwhatdifferenceitmade。"
　　"Difference！"exclaimedCaptainEli。"Itwasallthedifferencebetweenamanondeckandamanoverboard——that'sthedifferenceitwastome。Ididn'texpecttobetalkin'toyousoearlythisChristmasmornin'，butthingshasbeensprungonme，andIcan'thelpitIjustwanttoaskyouonething：DidyouthinkIwasgettin'upthisChristmastreeandtheChristmasdinnerandthewholebusinessferthegoodofthelittlegal，andferthegoodofyou，andferthegoodofCaptainCephas？"
　　Mrs。Trimmerhadnowrecoveredaveryfairpossessionofherself。"OfcourseIdid，"sheanswered，lookingupathimasshespoke。"Whoelsecouldithavebeenfor！"
　　"Well，"saidhe，"youweremistaken。Itwasn'tferanyoneofyou。Itwasallferme——fermyownself。"
　　"Youyourself？"saidshe。"Idon'tseehow。"
　　"ButIseehow，"heanswered。"It'sbeenalongtimesinceI
　　wantedtospeakmymindtoyou，Mrs。Trimmer，butIdidn'teverhavenochance。AndalltheseChristmasdoin'swasgotuptogivemethechancenotonlyofspeakin'toyou，butofshowin'mycolorsbetterthanIcouldshowtheminanyotherway。
　　Everythingwentona-skimmin'tillthismornin'，whenthatstrangerthatwebroughtinfromtheshoalpipedupandaskedferyou。ThenIwentoverboard——atleast，IthoughtIdid——andsunkdown，down，cleanoutofsoundin's。"
　　"Thatwastoobad，captain，"saidshe，speakingverygently，"afterallyourtroubleandkindness。"
　　"ButIdon'tknownow，"hecontinued，"whetherIwentoverboardorwhetherIamondeck。Canyoutellme，Mrs。
　　Trimmer？"
　　Shelookedupathim。Hereyeswereverysoft，andherlipstrembledjustalittle。"Itseemstome，captain，"shesaid，"thatyouareondeck——ifyouwanttobe。"
　　Thecaptainsteppedclosertoher。"Mrs。Trimmer，"saidhe，"isthatbrotherofyourscomin'back？"
　　"Yes，"sheanswered，surprisedatthesuddenquestion。"He'sjustgoneuptothestoretobuyashirtandsomethings。Hegothimselfsplashedtryingtopushhisboatofflastnight。"
　　"Well，then，"saidCaptainEli，"wouldyoumindtellin'himwhenhecomesbackthatyouandme'sengagedtobemarried？I
　　don'tknowwhetherI'vemadeamistakeinthelightsornot，butwouldyoumindtellin'himthat？"
　　Mrs。Trimmerlookedathim。Hereyeswerenotsosoftastheyhadbeen，buttheywerebrighter。"I'dratheryou'dtellhimthatyourself，"saidshe。
　　ThelittlegirlsatonthefloorneartheChristmastree，justfinishingalargepieceofred-and-whitecandywhichshehadtakenoutofherstocking。"PeopledohugalotatChristmas-
　　time，"saidshetoherself。Thenshedrewoutapieceofblue-
　　and-whitecandyandbeganonthat。
　　CaptainCephaswaitedalongtimeforhisfriendtoreturn，andatlasthethoughtitwouldbewelltogoandlookforhim。
　　WhenheenteredthehousehefoundMrs。Trimmersittingonthesofaintheparlor，withCaptainEliononesideofherandherbrotherontheother，andeachofthemholdingoneofherhands。
　　"ItlooksasifIwasinport，don'tit？"saidCaptainElitohisastonishedfriend。"Well，hereIam，andhere'smyfustmate，"inclininghisheadtowardMrs。Trimmer。"Andshe'sinporttoo，safeandsound。Andthatstrangecaptainontheothersideofher，he'sherbrotherBob，who'sbeenawayforyearsandyears，andisjusthomefromMadagascar。"
　　"Singapore，"amendedBrotherBob。
　　CaptainCephaslookedfromonetotheotherofthethreeoccupantsofthesofa，butmadenoimmediateremark。Presentlyasmileofgenialmaliciousnessstoleoverhisface，andheasked，"Howaboutthepoorlittlegal？HaveyousentherbacktoMrs。
　　Crumley's？"