Therepellerswerecalledlightinfantry;butwhentheycarriedonoperationsbeyondtheforttheybecamecavalry。Itwasalsotheirduty，20whennototherwiseengaged，tomanufacturesnow—balls。TheGeneral’sstaffconsistedoffiveTemplars（Iamongthenumber，withtherankofMajor），whocarriedtheGeneral’sordersandlookedafterthewounded。
GeneralMatAmes，aveterancommander，wasnolesswide—awakeinthedispositionofhisarmy。Fivecompanies，eachnumberingbutsixmen，inordernottopresenttoobigatargettooursharpshooters，weretochargethefortfromdifferentpoints，theiradvancebeingcoveredbyaheavyfirefromthegunnerspostedintherear。Eachscalerwasprovidedwithonlytworoundsofammunition，whichwerenottobeuseduntilhehadmountedthebreastworkandcoulddeliverhisshotsonourheads。
Thedrawingbelowrepresentstheinteriorofthefortjustprevioustotheassault。Nothingonearthcouldrepresentthestateofthingsafterthefirstvolley。
FortSlatterdetailgraphicThethrillingmomenthadnowarrived。IfIhadbeengoingintoarealengagementIcouldnothavebeenmoredeeplyimpressedbytheimportanceoftheoccasion。
Thefortopenedfirefirst—asingleballfromthedexterousbandofGeneralHarristakingGeneralAmesintheverypitofhisstomach。AcheerwentupfromFortSlatter。Inaninstanttheairwasthickwithflyingmissiles，inthemidstofwhichwedimlydescriedthestormingpartiessweepingupthehill，shouldertoshoulder。Theshoutsoftheleaders，andthesnowballsburstinglikeshellsaboutourears，madeitverylively。
Notmorethanadozenoftheenemysucceededinreachingthecrestofthehill;fiveoftheseclamberedupontheicywalls，wheretheywereinstantlygrabbedbythelegsandjerkedintothefort。Therestretiredconfusedandblindedbyourwell—directedfire。
WhenGeneralHarris（withhisrighteyebungedup）said，’Soldiers，Iamproudofyou！"myheartswelledinmybosom。
Thevictory，however，hadnotbeenwithoutitsprice。SixNorth—Enders，havingrushedouttoharassthediscomfitedenemy，weregallantlycutoffbyGeneralAmesandcaptured。AmongthesewereLieutenantP。Whitcomb（whohadnobusinesstojoininthecharge，beingweakintheknees），andCaptainFredLangdon，ofGeneralHarris’sstaff。Whitcombwasoneofthemostnotableshotsonourside，thoughhewasnotmuchtoboastofinarough—and—tumblefight，owingtotheweaknessbeforementioned。GeneralAmesputhimamongthegunners，andwewerequicklymadeawareofthelosswehadsustained，byreceivingafrequentartfulballwhichseemedtolightwithunerringinstinctonanynosethatwastheleastbitexposed。IhaveknownoneofPepper’ssnow—balls，firedpointblank，toturnacomerandhitaboywhoconsideredhimselfabsolutelysafe。
Butwehadnotimeforvainregrets。Thebattleraged。Alreadythereweretwobadcasesofblackeye，andoneofnosebleed，inthehospital。
Itwasgloriousexcitement，thosepell—mellonslaughtsandhand—to—handstruggles。Twicewewerewithinanaceofbeingdrivenfromourstronghold，whenGeneralHarrisandhisstaffleapedrecklesslyupontherampartsandhurledthebesiegersheelsoverheaddownhill。
Atsunset，thegarrisonofFortSlatterwasstillunconquered，andtheSouth—Enders，inasolidphalanx，marchedoffwhistling"YankeeDoodle，"
whilewecheeredandjeeredthemuntiltheywereoutofhearing。
GeneralAmesremainedbehindtoeffectanexchangeofprisoners。Weheldthirteenofhismen，andheelevenofours。GeneralAmesproposedtocallitaneventhing，sincemanyofhiselevenprisonerswereofficers，whilenearlyallourthirteencaptiveswereprivates。Adisputearisingonthispoint，thetwonoblegeneralscametofisticuffs，andinthe—fracasourbravecommandergothisremainingwelleyebadlydamaged。Thisdidn’tpreventhimfromwritingageneralorderthenextday，onaslate，inwhichhecomplimentedthetroopsontheirheroicbehavior。
OnthefollowingWednesdaythesiegewasrenewed。IforgetwhetheritwasonthatafternoonorthenextthatwelostFortSlatter;butloseitwedid，withmuchvaluableammunitionandseveralmen。Afteraseriesofdesperateassaults，weforcedGeneralAmestocapitulate;andhe，inturn，madetheplacetoohottoholdus。Sofromdaytodaythetideofbattlesurgedtoandfro，sometimesfavoringourarms，andsometimesthoseoftheenemy。
GeneralAmeshandledhismenwithgreatskill;hisdeadliestfoecouldnotdenythat。Onceheoutgeneralledourcommanderinthefollowingmanner：Hemassedhisgunnersonourleftandopenedabriskfire，undercoverofwhichasinglecompany（sixmen）advancedonthatangleofthefort。Ourreservesontherightrushedovertodefendthethreatenedpoint。
Meanwhile，fourcompaniesoftheenemy’sscalersmadeadetourroundthefootofthehill，anddashedintoFortSlatterwithoutopposition。AtthesamemomentGeneralAmes’sgunnersclosedinonourleft，andtherewewerebetweentwofires。Ofcoursewehadtovacatethefort。AcloudrestedonGeneralHarris’smilitaryreputationuntilhissuperiortacticsenabledhimtodispossesstheenemy。
Asthewinterworeon，thewar—spiritwaxedfiercerandfiercer。Atlengththeprovisionagainstusingheavysubstancesinthesnow—ballswasdisregarded。Aballstuckfullofsand—birdshotcametearingintoFortSlatter。Inretaliation，GeneralHarrisorderedabroadsideofshells;i。
e。snow—ballscontainingmarbles。Afterthis，bothsidesneverfailedtofreezetheirammunition。
Itwasnolongerchild’splaytomarchuptothewallsofFortSlatter，norwasthepositionofthebesiegedlessperilous。Ateveryassaultthreeorfourboysoneachsideweredisabled。Itwasnotaninfrequentoccurrenceforthecombatantstoholdupaflagoftrucewhiletheyremovedsomeinsensiblecomrade。
Mattersgrewworseandworse。SevenNorth—Endershadbeenseriouslywounded，andadozenSouth—Enderswerereportedonthesicklist。Theselectmenofthetownawoketothefactofwhatwasgoingon，anddetailedaposseofpolicetopreventfurtherdisturbance。Theboysatthefootofthehill，South—Endersasithappened，findingthemselvesassailedintherearandontheflank，turnedroundandattemptedtobeatoffthewatchmen。Inthistheyweresustainedbynumerousvolunteersfromthefort，wholookedupontheinterferenceastyrannical。
Thewatchweredeterminedfellows，andchargedtheboysvaliantly，drivingthemallintothefort，wherewemadecommoncause，fightingsidebysidelikethebestoffriends。Invainthefourguardiansofthepeacerushedupthehill，flourishingtheirclubsandcallinguponustosurrender。Theycouldnotgetwithintenyardsofthefort，ourfirewassodestructive。InoneoftheonsetsamannamedMugridge，morevalorousthanhispeers，threwhimselfupontheparapet，whenhewasseizedbytwentypairsofhands，anddraggedinsidethebreastwork，wherefifteenboyssatdownonhimtokeephimquiet。
Perceivingthatitwasimpossiblewiththeirsmallnumbertodislodgeus，thewatchsentforreinforcements。Theircallwasrespondedto，notonlybythewholeconstabularyforce（eightmen），butbyanumerousbodyofcitizens，whohadbecomealarmedattheprospectofariot。Thisformidablearraybroughtustooursenses：webegantothinkthatmaybediscretionwasthebetterpartofvalor。GeneralHarrisandGeneralAmes，withtheirrespectivestaffs，heldacouncilofwarinthehospital，andabackwardmovementwasdecidedon。So，afteronegrandfarewellvolley，wefled，sliding，jumping，rolling，tumblingdownthequarryattherearofthefort，andescapedwithoutlosingaman。
ButwelostFortSlatterforever。Thosebattle—scarredrampartswererazedtotheground，andhumiliatingashessprinkledoverthehistoricspot，nearwhichasolitarylynx—eyedpolicemanwasseenprowlingfromtimetotimeduringtherestofthewinter。
Theeventpassedintoalegend，andafterwards，whenlaterinstancesofpluckandendurancewerespokenof，theboyswouldsay，"Bygolly！YououghttohavebeenatthefightsonSlatter’sHill！"
ChapterFourteenTheCruiseoftheDolphinItwasspringagain。Thesnowhadfadedawaylikeadream，andwewereawakened，sotospeak，bythesuddenchirpingofrobinsinourbackgarden。
Marvelloustransformationofsnowdriftsintolilacs，wondrousmiracleoftheunfoldingleaf！WereadintheHolyBookhowourSaviour，atthemarriage—feast，changedthewaterintowine;wepauseandwonder;buteveryhouragreatermiracleiswroughtatourveryfeet，ifwehavebuteyestoseeit。
IhadnowbeenayearatRivermouth。IfyoudonotknowwhatsortofboyI
was，itisnotbecauseIhaven’tbeenfrankwithyou。OfmyprogressatschoolIsaylittle;forthisisastory，pureandsimple，andnotatreatiseoneducation。Beholdme，however，wellupinmostoftheclasses。
IhavewornmyLatingrammarintotatters，andaminthefirstbookofVirgil。Iinterlardmyconversationathomewitheasyquotationsfromthatpoet，andimpressCaptainNutterwithaloftynotionofmylearning。IamlikewisetranslatingLesAventuresdeTelemaquefromtheFrench，andshalltackleBlair’sLecturesthenextterm。IamashamedofmycrudecompositionaboutTheHorse，andcandobetternow。Sometimesmyheadalmostacheswiththevarietyofmyknowledge。IconsiderMr。Grimshawthegreatestscholarthateverlived，andIdon’tknowwhichIwouldratherbe—alearnedmanlikehim，oracircusrider。
Mythoughtsreverttothisparticularspringmorefrequentlythantoanyotherperiodofmyboyhood，foritwasmarkedbyaneventthatleftanindelibleimpressiononmymemory。AsIpenthesepages，IfeelthatIamwritingofsomethingwhichhappenedyesterday，sovividlyitallcomesbacktome。
EveryRivermouthboylooksupontheseaasbeinginsomewaymixedupwithhisdestiny。Whileheisyetababylyinginhiscradle，hehearsthedull，far—offboomofthebreakers;whenbeisolder，hewandersbythesandyshore，watchingthewavesthatcomeplungingupthebeachlikewhite—manedseahorses，asThoreaucallsthem;hiseyefollowsthelesseningsailasitfadesintothebluehorizon，andheburnsforthetimewhenheshallstandonthequarter—deckofhisownship，andgosailingproudlyacrossthatmysteriouswasteofwaters。
Thenthetownitselfisfullofhintsandflavorsofthesea。Thegablesandroofsofthehousesfacingeastwardarecoveredwithredrust，liketheflukesofoldanchors;asaltysmellpervadestheair，anddensegrayfogs，theverybreathofOcean，periodicallycreepupintothequietstreetsandenvelopeverything。Theterrificstormsthatlashthecoast;thekelpandspars，andsometimesthebodiesofdrownedmen，tossedonshorebythescornfulwaves;theshipyards，thewharves，andthetawnyfleetoffishing—smacksyearlyfittedoutatRivermouth—thesethings，andahundredother，feedtheimaginationandfillthebrainofeveryhealthyboywithdreamsofadventure。Helearnstoswimalmostassoonashecanwalk;hedrawsinwithhismother’smilktheartofhandlinganoar：heisbornasailor，whateverhemayturnouttobeafterwards。
Toownthewholeoraportionofarow—boatishisearliestambition。NowonderthatI，borntothislife，andcomingbacktoitwithfreshestsympathies，shouldhavecaughttheprevailinginfection。NowonderIlongedtobuyapartofthetrimlittlesailboatDolphin，whichchancedjustthentobeinthemarket。ThiswasinthelatterpartofMay。
Threeshares，atfiveorsixdollarseach，Iforgetwhich，hadalreadybeentakenbyPhilAdams，FredLangdon，andBinnyWallace。Thefourthandremainingsharehungfire。Unlessapurchasercouldbefoundforthis，thebargainwastofallthrough。
IamafraidIrequiredbutslighturgingtojoinintheinvestment。Ihadfourdollarsandfiftycentsonhand，andthetreasureroftheCentipedesadvancedmethebalance，receivingmysilverpencil—caseasamplesecurity。
ItwasaproudmomentwhenIstoodonthewharfwithmypartners，inspectingtheDolphin，mooredatthefootofaveryslipperyflightofsteps。Shewaspaintedwhitewithagreenstripeoutside，andonthesternayellowdolphin，withitsscarletmouthwideopen，staredwithasurprisedexpressionatitsownreflectioninthewater。Theboatwasagreatbargain。
Iwhirledmycapintheair，andrantothestairsleadingdownfromthewharf，whenahandwaslaidgentlyonmyshoulder。IturnedandfacedCaptainNutter。Ineversawsuchanoldsharp—eyeashewasinthosedays。
Iknewhewouldn’tbeangrywithmeforbuyingarowboat;butIalsoknewthatthelittlebowspritsuggestingajib，andthetaperingmastreadyforitsfewsquarefeetofcanvas，weretriflesnotlikelytomeethisapproval。Asfarasrowingontheriver，amongthewharves，wasconcerned，theCaptainhadlongsincewithdrawnhisdecidedobjections，havingconvincedhim—self，bygoingoutwithmeseveraltimes，thatIcouldmanageapairofscullsaswellasanybody。
Iwasrightinmysurmises。Hecommandedme，inthemostemphaticterms，nevertogooutintheDolphinwithoutleavingthemastintheboat—house。
Thiscurtailedmyanticipatedsport，butthepleasureofhavingapullwheneverIwanteditremained。IneverdisobeyedtheCaptain’sorderstouchingthesail，thoughIsometimesextendedmyrowbeyondthepointshehadindicated。
Theriverwasdangerousforsailboats。Squalls，withouttheslightestwarning，wereoffrequentoccurrence;scarcelyayearpassedthatsixorsevenpersonswerenotdrownedundertheverywindowsofthetown，andthese，oddlyenough，weregenerallysea—captains，whoeitherdidnotunderstandtheriver，orlackedtheskilltohandleasmallcraft。
Aknowledgeofsuchdisasters，oneofwhichIwitnessed，consoledmesomewhatwhenIsawPhilAdamsskimmingoverthewaterinaspankingbreezewitheverystitchofcanvasset。TherewerefewbetteryachtsmenthanPhilAdams。Heusuallywentsailingalone，forbothFredLangdonandBinnyWallacewereunderthesamerestrictionsIwas。
Notlongafterthepurchaseoftheboat，weplannedanexcursiontoSandpeepIsland，thelastoftheislandsintheharbor。Weproposedtostartearlyinthemorning，andreturnwiththetideinthemoonlight。Ouronlydifficultywastoobtainawholeday’sexemptionfromschool，thecustomaryhalf—holidaynotbeinglongenoughforourpicnic。Somehow，wecouldn’tworkit;butfortunearrangeditforus。Imaysayhere，that，whateverelseIdid，Ineverplayedtruant（"hookey"wecalledit）inmylife。
OneafternoonthefourownersoftheDolphinexchangedsignificantglanceswhenMr。Grimshawannouncedfromthedeskthattherewouldbenoschoolthefollowingday，hehavingjustreceivedintelligenceofthedeathofhisuncleinBostonIwassincerelyattachedtoMr。Grimshaw，butIamafraidthatthedeathofhisuncledidnotaffectmeasitoughttohavedone。
Wewereupbeforesunrisethenextmorning，inordertotakeadvantageofthefloodtide，whichwaitsfornoman。Ourpreparationsforthecruiseweremadethepreviousevening。Inthewayofeatablesanddrinkables，wehadstoredinthestemoftheDolphinagenerousbagofhard—tack（forthechowder），apieceofporktofrythecunnersin，threegiganticapple—pies（boughtatPettingil’s），halfadozenlemons，andakegofspring—water—thelast—namedarticleweslungovertheside，tokeepitcool，assoonaswegotunderway。Thecrockeryandthebricksforourcamp—stoveweplacedinthebows，withthegroceries，whichincludedsugar，pepper，salt，andabottleofpickles。PhilAdamscontributedtotheoutfitasmalltentofunbleachedcottoncloth，underwhichweintendedtotakeournooning。
Weunshippedthemast，threwinanextraoar，andwerereadytoembark。IdonotbelievethatChristopherColumbus，whenhestartedonhisrathersuccessfulvoyageofdiscovery，felthalftheresponsibilityandimportancethatweigheduponmeasIsatonthemiddleseatoftheDolphin，withmyoarrestingintherow—lock。IwonderifChristopherColumbusquietlyslippedoutofthehousewithoutlettinghisestimablefamilyknowwhathewasupto？
CharleyMarden，whosefatherhadpromisedtocanehimifheeversteppedfootonsailorrowboat，camedowntothewharfinasour—grapehumor，toseeusoff。Nothingwouldtempthimtogooutontheriverinsuchacrazyclam—shellofaboat。Hepretendedthathedidnotexpecttobeholdusaliveagain，andtriedtothrowawetblanketovertheexpedition。
"Guessyou’llhaveasquallytimeofit，"saidCharley，castingoffthepainter。"I’lldropinatoldNewbury’s"（Newburywastheparishundertaker）"andleaveword，asIgoalong！"
’Bosh！"mutteredPhilAdams，stickingtheboat—hookintothestring—pieceofthewharf，andsendingtheDolphinhalfadozenyardstowardsthecurrent。
Howcalmandlovelytheriverwas！Notaripplestirredontheglassysurface，brokenonlybythesharpcutwaterofourtinycraft。Thesun，asroundandredasanAugustmoon，wasbythistimepeeringabovethewater—line。
Thetownhaddriftedbehindus，andwewereenteringamongthegroupofislands。Sometimeswecouldalmosttouchwithourboat—hooktheshelvingbanksoneitherside。Aswenearedthemouthoftheharboralittlebreezenowandthenwrinkledthebluewater，shookthespanglesfromthefoliage，andgentlyliftedthespiralmist—wreathsthatstillclungalongshore。Themeasureddipofouroarsandthedrowsytwitteringsofthebirdsseemedtominglewith，ratherthanbreak，theenchantedsilencethatreignedaboutus。
Thescentofthenewclovercomesbacktomenow，asIrecallthatdeliciousmorningwhenwefloatedawayinafairyboatdownariverlikeadream！
ThesunwaswellupwhenthenoseoftheDolphinnestledagainstthesnow—whitebosomofSandpeepIsland。Thisisland，asIhavesaidbefore，wasthelastofthecluster，onesideofitbeingwashedbythesea。Welandedontheriver—side，theslopingsandsandquietwateraffordingusagoodplacetomoortheboat。
Ittookusanhourortwototransportourstorestothespotselectedfortheencampment。Havingpitchedourtent，usingthefiveoarstosupportthecanvas，wegotoutourlines，andwentdowntherocksseawardtofish。Itwasearlyforcunners，butwewereluckyenoughtocatchasniceamessaseveryousaw。Acodforthechowderwasnotsoeasilysecured。AtlastBinnyWallacehauledinaplumplittlefellowcrustedalloverwithflakysilver。
Toskinthefish，buildourfireplace，andcookthechowderkeptusbusythenexttwohours。Thefreshairandtheexercisehadgivenustheappetitesofwolves，andwewereaboutfamishedbythetimethesavorymixturewasreadyforourclamshellsaucers。
IshallnotinsulttherisinggenerationontheseaboardbytellingthemhowdelectableisachowdercompoundedandeateninthisRobinsonCrusoefashion。Asfortheboyswholiveinland，andknownaughtofsuchmarinefeasts，myheartisfullofpityforthem。Whatwastedlives！Nottoknowthedelightsofaclam—bake，nottolovechowder，tobeignorantoflob—scouse！
Howhappywewere，wefour，sittingcrossleggedinthecrispsaltgrass，withtheinvigoratingsea—breezeblowinggratefullythroughourhair！Whatajoyousthingwaslife，andhowfaroffseemeddeath—death，thatlurksinallpleasantplaces，andwassonear！
Thebanquetfinished，PhilAdamsdrewfromhispocketahandfulofsweet—ferncigars;butasnoneofthepartycouldindulgewithoutimminentriskofbecomingsick，weall，ononepretextoranother，declined，andPhilsmokedbyhimself。
Thewindhadfreshenedbythis，andwefounditcomfortabletoputonthejacketswhichhadbeenthrownasideintheheatoftheday。Westrolledalongthebeachandgatheredlargequantitiesofthefairy—wovenIcelandmoss，which，atcertainseasons，iswashedtotheseshores;thenweplayedatducksanddrakes，andthen，thesunbeingsufficientlylow，wewentinbathing。
Beforeourbathwasendedaslightchangehadcomeovertheskyandsea;
fleecy—whitecloudsscuddedhereandthere，andamuffledmoanfromthebreakerscaughtourearsfromtimetotime。Whileweweredressing，afewhurrieddropsofraincamelispingdown，andweadjournedtothetenttoawaitthepassingofthesquall。
"We’reallright，anyhow，"saidPhilAdams。"Itwon’tbemuchofablow，andwe’llbeassnugasabuginarug，hereinthetent，particularlyifwehavethatlemonadewhichsomeofyoufellowsweregoingtomake。"
Byanoversight，thelemonshadbeenleftintheboat。BinnyWallacevolunteeredtogoforthem。
"Putanextrastoneonthepainter，Binny，"saidAdams，callingafterhim;
"itwouldbeawkwardtohavetheDolphingiveustheslipandreturntoportminusherpassengers。"
"Thatitwould，"answeredBinny，scramblingdowntherocks。
SandpeepIslandisdiamond—shaped—onepointrunningoutintothesea，andtheotherlookingtowardsthetown。Ourtentwasontheriver—side。ThoughtheDolphinwasalsoonthesameside，itlayoutofsightbythebeachatthefartherextremityoftheisland。
BinnyWallacehadbeenabsentfiveorsixminutes，whenweheardhimcallingourseveralnamesintonesthatindicateddistressorsurprise，wecouldnottellwhich。Ourfirstthoughtwas，"TheboathasbrokenadriftI"
Wesprungtoourfeetandhasteneddowntothebeach。Onturningthebluffwhichhidthemooring—placefromourview，wefoundtheconjecturecorrect。
NotonlywastheDolphinafloat，butpoorlittleBinnyWallacewasstandinginthebowswithhisarmsstretchedhelplesslytowardsus—driftingouttosea！
"Headtheboatinshore！"shoutedPhilAdams。
Wallacerantothetiller;buttheslightcockle—shellmerelyswungroundanddriftedbroadsideon。O，ifwebadbutleftasinglescullintheDolphin！
"Canyouswimit？"criedAdams，desperately，usinghishandasaspeaking—trumpet，forthedistancebetweentheboatandtheislandwidenedmomentarily。
BinnyWallacelookeddownatthesea，whichwascoveredwithwhitecaps，andmadeadespairinggesture。Heknew，andweknew，thatthestoutestswimmercouldnotlivefortysecondsinthoseangrywaters。
Awild，insanelightcameintoPhilAdams’seyes，ashestoodknee—deepintheboilingsurf，andforaninstantIthinkhemeditatedplungingintotheoceanaftertherecedingboat。
Theskydarkened，andanuglylookstolerapidlyoverthebrokensurfaceofthesea。
BinnyWallacehalfrosefromhisseatinthestem，andwavedhishandtousintokenoffarewell。Inspiteofthedistance，increasingeveryinstantwecouldseehisfaceplainly。Theanxiousexpressionitworeatfirstbadpassed。Itwaspaleandmeeknow，andIlovetothinktherewasakindofhaloaboutit，likethatwhichpaintersplacearoundtheforeheadofasaint。Sohedriftedaway。
Theskygrewdarkeranddarker。ItwasonlybystrainingoureyesthroughtheunnaturaltwilightthatwecouldkeeptheDolphininsight。ThefigureofBinnyWallacewasnolongervisible，fortheboatitselfhaddwindledtoamerewhitedotontheblackwater。Nowwelostit，andourheartsstoppedthrobbing;andnowthespeckappearedagain，foraninstant，onthecrestofahighwave。
Finally，itwentoutlikeaspark，andwesawitnomore。Thenwegazedateachother，anddarednotspeak。
Absorbedinfollowingthecourseoftheboat，wehadscarcelynoticedthehuddledinkycloudsthatsaggeddownallaroundus。Fromthesethreateningmasses，seamedatintervalswithpalelightning，therenowburstaheavypealofthunderthatshookthegroundunderourfeet。Asuddensquallstruckthesea，ploughingdeepwhitefurrowsintoit，andatthesameinstantasinglepiercingshriekroseabovethetempest—thefrightenedcryofagullswoopingovertheisland。Howitstartledus！
Itwasimpossibleanylongertokeepourfootingonthebeach。Thewindandthebreakerswouldhavesweptusintotheoceanifwehadnotclungtoeachotherwiththedesperationofdrowningmen。Takingadvantageofamomentarylull，wecrawledupthesandsonourhandsandknees，and，pausingintheleeofthegraniteledgetogainbreath，returnedtothecamp，wherewefoundthatthegalehadsnappedallthefasteningsofthetentbutone。
Heldbythis，thepuffed—outcanvasswayedinthewindlikeaballoon。Itwasataskofsomedifficultytosecureit，whichwedidbybeatingdownthecanvaswiththeoars。
Afterseveraltrials，wesucceededinsettingupthetentontheleewardsideoftheledge。Blindedbythevividflashesoflightning，anddrenchedbytherain，whichfellintorrents，wecrept，halfdeadwithfearandanguish，underourflimsyshelter。Neithertheanguishnorthefearwasonourownaccount，forwewerecomparativelysafe，butforpoorlittleBinnyWallace，drivenouttoseainthemercilessgale。Weshudderedtothinkofhiminthatfrailshell，driftingonandontohisgrave，theskyrentwithlightningoverhishead，andthegreenabyssesyawningbeneathhim。Wefelltocrying，thethreeofus，andcriedIknownothowlong。
Meanwhilethestormragedwithaugmentedfury。Wewereobligedtoholdontotheropesofthetenttopreventitblowingaway。Thesprayfromtheriverleapedseveralyardsuptherocksandclutchedatusmalignantly。Theveryislandtrembledwiththeconcussionsoftheseabeatinguponit，andattimesIfanciedthatithadbrokenloosefromitsfoundation，andwasfloatingoffwithus。Thebreakers，streakedwithangryphosphorus，werefearfultolookat。
Thewindrosehigherandhigher，cuttinglongslitsinthetent，throughwhichtherainpouredincessantly。Tocompletethesumofourmiseries，thenightwasathand。Itcamedownsuddenly，atlast，likeacurtain，shuttinginSandpeepislandfromalltheworld。
Itwasadirtynight，asthesailorssay。Thedarknesswassomethingthatcouldbefeltaswellasseen—itpresseddownupononewithacold，clammytouch。Gazingintothehollowblackness，allsortsofimaginableshapesseemedtostartforthfromvacancy—brilliantcolors，stars，prisms，anddancinglights。Whatboy，lyingawakeatnight，hasnotamusedorterrifiedhimselfbypeoplingthespacesaroundhisbedwiththesephenomenaofhisowneyes？
"Isay，"whisperedFredLangdon，atlength，clutchingmyhand，"don’tyouseethings—outthere—inthedark？’20
"Yes，yes—BinnyWallace’sface！"
Iaddedtomyownnervousnessbymakingthisavowal;thoughforthelasttenminutesIhadseenlittlebesidesthatstar—palefacewithitsangelichairandbrows。Firstaslimyellowcircle，likethenimbusroundthemoon，tookshapeandgrewsharpagainstthedarkness;thenthisfadedgradually，andtherewastheFace，wearingthesamesad，sweetlookitworewhenhewavedhishandtousacrosstheawfulwater。Thisopticalillusionkeptrepeatingitself。
"AndItoo，"saidAdams。"Iseeiteverynowandthen，outsidethere。Whatwouldn’tIgiveifitreallywaspoorlittleWallacelookinginatus！O
boys，howshallwedaretogobacktothetownwithouthim？I’vewishedahundredtimes，sincewe’vebeensittinghere，thatIwasinhisplace，aliveordead！"
Wedreadedtheapproachofmorningasmuchaswelongedforit。Themorningwouldtellusall。WasitpossiblefortheDolphintooutridesuchastorm？
Therewasalight—houseonMackerelReef，whichlaydirectlyinthecoursetheboatbadtaken，whenitdisappeared。IftheDolphinhadcaughtonthisreef，perhapsBinnyWallacewassafe。Perhapshiscrieshadbeenheardbythekeeperofthelight。Themanownedalifeboat，andhadrescuedseveralpeople。Whocouldtell？
Suchwerethequestionsweaskedourselvesagainandagain，aswelayineachother’sarmswaitingfordaybreak。Whatanendlessnightitwas！I
haveknownmonthsthatdidnotseemsolong。
Ourpositionwasirksomeratherthanperilous;forthedaywascertaintobringusrelieffromthetown，whereourprolongedabsence，togetherwiththestorm，hadnodoubtexcitedtheliveliestalarmforoursafety。Butthecold，thedarkness，andthesuspensewerehardtobear。
Oursoakedjacketsbadchilledustothebone。Tokeepwarm，welayhuddledtogethersocloselythatwecouldbearourheartsbeatabovethetumultofseaandsky。
Afterawhilewegrewveryhungry，nothavingbrokenourfastsinceearlyintheday。Therainhadturnedthehard—tackintoasortofdough;butitwasbetterthannothing。
WeusedtolaughatFredLangdonforalwayscarryinginhispocketasmallvialofessenceofpeppermintorsassafras，afewdropsofwhich，sprinkledonalumpofloaf—sugar，heseemedtoconsideragreatluxury。Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofusatthiscrisis，ifithadn’tbeenforthatomnipresentbottleofhotstuff。Wepouredthestingingliquidoveroursugar，whichbadkeptdryinasardine—box，andwarmedourselveswithfrequentdoses。
Afterfourorfivehourstherainceased，thewinddiedawaytoamoan，andthesea—nolongerraginglikeamaniac—sobbedandsobbedwithapiteoushumanvoiceallalongthecoast。Andwellitmight，afterthatnight’swork。TwelvesailoftheGloucesterfishingfleethadgonedownwitheverysoulonboard，justoutsideofWhale’s—backLight。Thinkofthewidegriefthatfollowsinthewakeofonewreck;thenthinkofthedespairingwomenwhowrungtheirhandsandwept，thenextmorning，inthestreetsofGloucester，Marblehead，andNewcastle！
Thoughourstrengthwasnearlyspent，weweretoocoldtosleep。OnceIsunkintoatroubleddoze，whenIseemedtobearCharleyMarden’spartingwords，onlyitwastheSeathatsaidthem。AfterthatIthrewoffthedrowsinesswheneveritthreatenedtoovercomeme。
FredLangdonwastheearliesttodiscoverafilmy，luminousstreakinthesky，thefirstglimmeringofsunrise。
"Look，itisnearlydaybreak！"
Whilewewerefollowingthedirectionofhisfinger，asoundofdistantoarsfellonourears。
Welistenedbreathlessly，andasthedipofthebladesbecamemoreaudible，wediscernedtwofoggylights，likewill—o’the—wisps，floatingontheriver。
Runningdowntothewater’sedge，wehailedtheboatswithallourmight。
Thecallwasheard，fortheoarsrestedamomentintherow—locks，andthenpulledintowardstheisland。
Itwastwoboatsfromthetown，intheforemostofwhichwecouldnowmakeoutthefiguresofCaptainNutterandBinnyWallace’sfather。Weshrunkbackonseeinghim。
’ThankGod！"criedMr。Wallace，fervently，asheleapedfromthewherrywithoutwaitingforthebowtotouchthebeach。
Butwhenhesawonlythreeboysstandingonthesands，hiseyewanderedrestlesslyaboutinquestofthefourth;thenadeadlypalloroverspreadhisfeatures。
Ourstorywassoontold。Asolemnsilencefelluponthecrowdofroughboatmengatheredround，interruptedonlybyastifledsobfromonepooroldman，whostoodapartfromtherest。
Theseawasstillrunningtoohighforanysmallboattoventureout;soitwasarrangedthatthewherryshouldtakeusbacktotown，leavingtheyawl，withapickedcrew，tohugtheislanduntildaybreak，andthensetforthinsearchoftheDolphin。
Thoughitwasbarelysunrisewhenwereachedtown，therewereagreatmanypeopleassembledatthelandingeagerforintelligencefrommissingboats。
Twopicnicpartieshadstarteddownriverthedaybefore，justprevioustothegale，andnothinghadbeenbeardofthem。Itturnedoutthatthepleasure—seekerssawtheirdangerintime，andranashoreononeoftheleastexposedislands，wheretheypassedthenight。ShortlyafterourownarrivaltheyappearedoffRivermouth，muchtothejoyoftheirfriends，intwoshattered，dismastedboats。
Theexcitementover，Iwasinaforlornstate，physicallyandmentally。
CaptainNutterputmetobedbetweenhotblankets，andsentKittyCollinsforthedoctor。Iwaswanderinginmymind，andfanciedmyselfstillonSandpeepIsland：nowwewerebuildingourbrick—stovetocookthechowder，and，inmydelirium，Ilaughedaloudandshoutedtomycomrades;nowtheskydarkened，andthesquallstrucktheisland：nowIgaveorderstoWallacehowtomanagetheboat，andnowIcriedbecausetherainwaspouringinonmethroughtheholesinthetent。Towardseveningahighfeversetin，anditwasmanydaysbeforemygrandfatherdeemeditprudenttotellmethattheDolphinhadbeenfound，floatingkeelupwards，fourmilessoutheastofMackerelReef。
PoorlittleBinnyWallace！Howstrangeitseemed，whenIwenttoschoolagain，toseethatemptyseatinthefifthrow！Howgloomytheplaygroundwas，lackingthesunshineofhisgentle，sensitiveface！Onedayafoldedsheetslippedfrommyalgebra;itwasthelastnoteheeverwroteme。I
couldn’treaditforthetears。
WhatapangshotacrossmyhearttheafternoonitwaswhisperedthroughthetownthatabodyhadbeenwashedashoreatGravePoint—theplacewherewebathed。Webathedtherenomore！HowwellIrememberthefuneral，andwhatapiteoussightitwasafterwardstoseehisfamiliarnameonasmallheadstoneintheOldSouthBuryingGround！
PoorlittleBinnyWallace！Alwaysthesametome。Therestofushavegrownupintohard，worldlymen，fightingthefightoflife;butyouareforeveryoung，andgentle，andpure;apartofmyownchildhoodthattimecannotwither;alwaysalittleboy，alwayspoorlittleBinnyWallace！
ChapterFifteenAnOldAcquaintanceTurnsUpAyearhadstolenbysincethedeathofBinnyWallace—ayearofwhichIhavenothingimportanttorecord。
Thelossofourlittleplaymatethrewashadowoverouryounglivesformanyandmanyamonth。TheDolphinroseandfellwiththetideatthefootoftheslipperysteps，unused，therestofthesummer。AtthecloseofNovemberwehauledhersadlyintotheboat—houseforthewinter;butwhenspringcameroundwelaunchedtheDolphinagain，andoftenwentdowntothewharfandlookedatherlyinginthetangledeel—grass，withoutmuchinclinationtotakearow。Theassociationsconnectedwiththeboatweretoopainfulasyet;buttime，whichwearsthesharpedgefromeverything，softenedthisfeeling，andoneafternoonwebroughtoutthecobwebbedoars。
Theiceoncebroken，brieftripsalongthewharves—weseldomcaredtogooutintotherivernow—becameoneofourchiefamusements。MeanwhileGypsywasnotforgotten。EveryclearmorningIwasinthesaddlebeforebreakfast，andtherearefewroadsorlaneswithintenmilesofRivermouththathavenotbornetheprintofhervagranthoof。
Istudiedlikeagoodfellowthisquarter，carryingoffacoupleoffirstprizes。TheCaptainexpressedhisgratificationbypresentingmewithanewsilverdollar。Ifadollarinhiseyeswassmallerthanacart—wheel，itwasn’tsoverymuchsmaller。Iredeemedmypencil—casefromthetreasureroftheCentipedes，andfeltthatIwasgettingonintheworld。
ItwasatthistimeIwasgreatlycastdownbyaletterfrommyfathersayingthatheshouldbeunabletovisitRivermouthuntilthefollowingyear。WiththatlettercameanothertoCaptainNutter，whichhedidnotreadaloudtothefamily，asusual。Itwasonbusiness，hesaid，foldingitupinhiswallet。Hereceivedseveralofthesebusinesslettersfromtimetotime，andInoticedthattheyalwaysmadehimsilentandmoody。
Thefactis，myfather’sbanking—housewasnotthriving。Theunlooked—forfailureofafirmlargelyindebtedtohimhadcrippled"thehouse。"WhentheCaptainimpartedthisinformationtomeIdidn’ttroublemyselfoverthematter。Isupposed—ifIsupposedanything—thatallgrown—uppeoplehadmoreorlessmoney，whentheywantedit。Whethertheyinheritedit，orwhethergovernmentsuppliedthem，wasnotcleartome。Alooseideathatmyfatherhadaprivategold—minesomewhereorotherrelievedmeofalluneasiness。
Iwasnotfarfromright。Everymanhaswithinhimselfagold—minewhoserichesarelimitedonlybyhisownindustry。Itistrue，itsometimeshappensthatindustrydoesnotavail，ifamanlacksthatsomethingwhich，forwantofabettername，wecallLuck。Myfatherwasapersonofuntiringenergyandability;buthehadnoluck。TouseaRivermouthsaying，hewasalwayscatchingsculpinswheneveryoneelsewiththesamebaitwascatchingmackerel。
ItwasmorethantwoyearssinceIhadseenmyparents。IfeltthatIcouldnotbearalongerseparation。EveryletterfromNewOrleans—wegottwoorthreeamonth—gavemeafitofhomesickness;andwhenitwasdefinitelysettledthatmyfatherandmotherweretoremainintheSouthanothertwelvemonth，Iresolvedtogotothem。
SinceBinnyWallace’sdeath，PepperWhitcombhadbeenmyfidusAchates;weoccupieddesksneareachotheratschool，andwerealwaystogetherinplayhours。WeriggedatwinetelegraphfromhisgarretwindowtothescuttleoftheNutterHouse，andsentmessagestoeachotherinamatch—box。Wesharedourpocket—moneyandoursecrets—thoseamazingsecretswhichboyshave。Wemetinlonelyplacesbystealth，andpartedlikeconspirators;wecouldn’tbuyajackknifeorbuildakitewithoutthrowinganairofmysteryandguiltoverthetransaction。
InaturallyhastenedtolaymyNewOrleansprojectbeforePepperWhitcomb，havingdraggedhimforthatpurposetoasecludedspotinthedarkpinewoodsoutsidethetown。PepperlistenedtomewithagravitywhichhewillnotbeabletosurpasswhenhebecomesChiefJustice，andstronglyadvisedmetogo。
"Thesummervacation，"saidPepper，"lastssixweeks;thatwillgiveyouafortnighttospendinNewOrleans，allowingtwoweekseachwayforthejourney。"
Iwrunghishandandbeggedhimtoaccompanyme，offeringtodefrayalltheexpenses。Iwasn’tanythingifIwasn’tprincelyinthosedays。Afterconsiderableurging，heconsentedtogoontermssoliberal。Thewholethingwasarranged;therewasnothingtodonowbuttoadviseCaptainNutterofmyplan，whichIdidthenextday。
Thepossibilitythathemightopposethetourneverenteredmyhead。Iwasthereforetotallyunpreparedforthevigorousnegativewhichmetmyproposal。Iwasdeeplymortified，moreover，fortherewasPepperWhitcombonthewharf，atthefootofthestreet，waitingformetocomeandlethimknowwhatdayweweretostart。
"GotoNewOrleans？GotoJerichoI"exclaimedCaptainNutter。"You’dlookpretty，youtwo，philanderingoff，likethebabesinthewood，twenty—fivehundredmiles，’withalltheworldbefore—youwheretochoose！’"
AndtheCaptain’sfeatures，whichhadwornanindignantairashebeganthesentence，relaxedintoabroadsmile。Whetheritwasatthefelicityofhisownquotation，oratthementalpicturehedrewofPepperandmyselfonourtravelsIcouldn’ttell，andIdidn’tcare。Iwasheart—broken。HowcouldIfacemychumafterallthedazzlinginducementsIhadheldouttohim？
Mygrandfather，seeingthatItookthematterseriously，pointedoutthedifficultiesofsuchajourneyandthegreatexpenseinvolved。Heenteredintothedetailsofmyfather’smoneytroubles，andsucceededinmakingitplaintomethatmywishes，underthecircumstances，weresomewhatunreasonable。ItwasinnocheerfulmoodthatIjoinedPepperattheendofthewharf。
Ifoundthatyounggentlemanleaningagainstthebulkheadgazingintentlytowardstheislandsintheharbor。Hehadformedatelescopeofhishands，andwassooccupiedwithhisobservationsastobeobliviousofmyapproach。
"Hullo！"criedPepper，droppinghishands。"Lookthere！Isn’tthatabarkcominguptheNarrows？"
"Where？"
"JustattheleftofFishcrateIsland。Don’tyouseetheforemastpeepingabovetheoldderrick？"
Sureenoughitwasavesselofconsiderablesize，slowlybeatinguptotown。
Inafewmomentsmoretheothertwomastswerevisibleabovethegreenhillocks。
"Fore—topmastsblownaway，"saidPepper。"Puttinginforrepairs，Iguess。"
Asthebarklazilycreptfrombehindthelastoftheislands，sheletgoheranchorsandswungroundwiththetide。Thenthegleefulchantofthesailorsatthecapstancametouspleasantlyacrossthewater。Thevessellaywithinthreequartersofamileofus，andwecouldplainlyseethemenatthedavitsloweringthestarboardlong—boat。Itnosoonertouchedthestreamthanadozenofthecrewscrambledlikemiceoverthesideofthemerchantman。
InaneglectedseaportlikeRivermouththearrivalofalargeshipisaneventofmoment。Theprospectofhavingtwentyorthirtyjollytarsletlooseonthepeacefultownexcitesdiversemotionsamongtheinhabitants。
Thesmallshopkeepersalongthewharvesanticipateathrivingtrade;theproprietorsofthetworivalboarding—houses—the"WeeDrop"andthe"Mariner’sHome"—hastendowntothelandingtosecurelodgers;andthefemalepopulationofAnchorLaneturnouttoawoman，forashipfreshfromseaisalwaysfullofpossiblehusbandsandlong—lostprodigalsons。
Butasidefromthisthereisscantwelcomegiventoaship’screwinRivermouth。Thetoil—wornmarinerisasadfellowashore，judginghimbyaseveremoralstandard。
Once，Iremember，aUnitedStatesfrigatecameintoportforrepairsafterastorm。Shelayintheriverafortnightormore，andeverydaysentusagangofsixtyorseventyofourcountry’sgallantdefenders，whospreadthemselvesoverthetown，doingallsortsofmadthings。Theyweregood—naturedenough，butfullofoldSancho。The"WeeDrop"provedadroptoomuchformanyofthem。Theywentsingingthroughthestreetsatmidnight，wringingoffdoor—knockers，shinningupwater—spouts，andfrighteningtheOldestInhabitantnearlytodeathbypoppingtheirheadsintohissecond—storywindow，andshouting"Fire！"Onemorningablue—jacketwasdiscoveredinaperilousplight，half—wayupthesteepleoftheSouthChurch，clingingtothelightning—rod。Howhegottherenobodycouldtell，notevenblue—jackethimself。Allheknewwas，thatthelegofhistrousershadcaughtonanail，andtherehestuck，unabletomoveeitherway。Itcostthetowntwentydollarstogethimdownagain。Hedirectedtheworkmenhowtosplicetheladdersbroughttohisassistance，andcalledhisrescuers"butter—fingeredland—lubbers"withdeliciouscoolness。
Butthosewereman—of—war’smen：Thesedate—lookingcraftnowlyingoffFishcrateIslandwasn’tlikelytocarryanysuchcargo。Nevertheless，wewatchedthecominginofthelong—boatwithconsiderableinterest。
Asitdrewnear，thefigureofthemanpullingthebow—oarseemedoddlyfamiliartome。WherecouldIhaveseenhimbefore？Whenandwhere？Hisbackwastowardsme，buttherewassomethingaboutthatcloselycroppedheadthatIrecognizedinstantly。
"Wayenough！"criedthesteersman，andalltheoarsstooduprightintheair。Themaninthebowseizedtheboat—hook，and，turningroundquickly，showedmethehonestfaceofSailorBenoftheTyphoon。
"It’sSailorBen！"Icried，nearlypushingPepperWhitcomboverboardinmyexcitement。
SailorBen，withthewonderfulpinkladyonhisarm，andtheshipsandstarsandanchorstattooedalloverhim，wasawell—knownheroamongmyplaymates。Andtherehewas，likesomethinginadreamcometrue！
Ididn’twaitformyoldacquaintancetogetfirmlyonthewharf，beforeI
graspedhishandinbothofmine。
"SailorBen，don’tyourememberme？"
Heevidentlydidnot。Heshiftedhisquidfromonecheektotheother，andlookedatmemeditatively。
"Lordloveye，lad，Idon’tknowyou。Iwasneverhereaforeinmylife。"
"What！"Icried，enjoyinghisperplexity。"HaveyouforgottenthevoyagefromNewOrleansintheTyphoon，twoyearsago，youlovelyoldpicture—book？"
Ah！thenheknewme，andintokenoftherecollectiongavemyhandsuchasqueezethatIamsureanunpleasantchangecameovermycountenance。
"Blessmyeyes，butyouhavegrowedso。Ishouldn’thaveknowedyouifIhadmetyouinSingapore！"
Withoutstoppingtoinquire，asIwastemptedtodo，whyhewasmorelikelytorecognizemeinSingaporethananywhereelse，IinvitedhimtocomeatonceuptotheNutterHouse，whereIinsuredhimawarmwelcomefromtheCaptain。
"Holdsteady，MasterTom，"saidSailorBen，slippingthepainterthroughtheringboltandtyingtheloveliestknotyoueversaw;"holdsteadytillIseeifthematecanletmeoff。Ifyouplease，sir，"hecontinued，addressingthesteersman，averyred—faced，bow—leggedperson，"thishereisalittleshipmateo’mineaswantstotalkoverbacktimesalongofme，ifsoit’sconvenient。"
"Allright，Ben，"returnedthemate;"sha’n’twantyouforanhour。"
Leavingonemaninchargeoftheboat，themateandtherestofthecrewwentofftogether。InthemeanwhilePepperWhitcombhadgotouthiscunner—line，andwasquietlyfishingattheendofthewharf，asiftogivemetheideathathewasn’tsoverymuchimpressedbymyintimacywithsorenownedacharacterasSailorBen。PerhapsPepperwasalittlejealous。Atanyrate，herefusedtogowithustothehouse。
CaptainNutterwasathomereadingtheRivennouthBarnacle。Hewasareadertodoaneditor’sheartgood;heneverskippedoveranadvertisement，evenifhehadreaditfiftytimesbefore。Thenthepaperwenttheroundsoftheneighborhood，amongthepoorpeople，likethesingleportableeyewhichthethreeblindcronespassedtoeachotherinthelegendofKingAcrisius。TheCaptain，Irepeat，waswanderinginthelabyrinthsoftheRivermouthBarnaclewhenIledSailorBenintothesitting—room。
Mygrandfather，whoseinborncourtesyknewnodistinctions，receivedmynauticalfriendasifhehadbeenanadmiralinsteadofacommonforecastle—hand。SailorBenpulledanimaginarytuftofhaironhisforehead，andbowedclumsily。Sailorshaveawayofusingtheirforelockasasortofhandletobowwith。
Theoldtarhadprobablyneverbeeninsohandsomeanapartmentinallhisdays，andnothingcouldinducehimtotaketheinvitingmahoganychairwhichtheCaptainwheeledoutfromthecorner。
Theabashedmarinerstoodupagainstthewall，twirlinghistarpaulininhistwohandsandlookingextremelysilly。Hemadeapoorshowinagentleman’sdrawing—room，butwhatafellowhehadbeeninhisday，whenthegaleblewgreatgunsandthetopsailswantedreefing！IthoughtofhimwiththeMexicansquadronoffVeraCruz，where，’Therushingbattle—boltsungfromthethree—deckeroutofthefoam，"
andhedidn’tseemawkwardorignobletome，forallhisshyness。
AsSailorBendeclinedtositdown，theCaptaindidnotresumehisseat;sowethreestoodinaconstrainedmanneruntilmygrandfatherwenttothedoorandcalledtoKittytobringinadecanterofMadeiraandtwoglasses。
"Mygrandson，here，hastalkedsomuchaboutyou，"saidtheCaptain，pleasantly，"thatyouseemquitelikeanoldacquaintancetome。"
"Thankee，sir，thankee，"returnedSailorBen，lookingasguiltyasifhehadbeendetectedinpickingapocket。
"AndI’mverygladtoseeyou，Mr。—Mr。—"
"SailorBen，"suggestedthatworthy。
"Mr。SailorBen，"addedtheCaptain，smiling。"Tom，openthedoor，there’sKittywiththeglasses。"
Iopenedthedoor，andKittyenteredtheroombringingthethingsonawaiter，whichshewasabouttosetonthetable，whensuddenlysheutteredaloudshriek;thedecanterandglassesfellwithacrashtothefloor，andKitty，aswhiteasasheet，wasseenflyingthroughthehall。
"It’shiswraith！It’shiswraith！"’weheardKittyshriekinginthekitchen。
MygrandfatherandIturnedwithamazementtoSailorBen。Hiseyeswerestandingoutofhisheadlikealobster’s。
"It’smyownlittleIrishlass！"shoutedthesailor，andhedartedintothehallafterher。
Eventhenwescarcelycaughtthemeaningofhiswords，butwhenwesawSailorBenandKittysobbingoneachother’sshoulderinthekitchen，weunderstooditall。
"Ibegsyourhonor’sparden，sir，"saidSailorBen，liftinghistear—stainedfaceaboveKitty’stumbledhair;"Ibegsyourhonor’spardenforkickinguparumpusinthehouse，butit’smyownlittleIrishlassasIlostsolongago！"
"Heavenpreserveus！"criedtheCaptain，blowinghisnoseviolently—atransparentrusetohidehisemotion。
MissAbigailwasinanupperchamber，sweeping;butonhearingtheunusualracketbelow，shescentedanaccidentandcameamblingdownstairswithabottleoftheinfalliblehot—dropsinherhand。NothingbutthefirmnessofmygrandfatherpreventedherfromgivingSailorBenatable—spoonfulonthespot。Butwhenshelearnedwhathadcomeabout—thatthiswasKitty’shusband，thatKittyCollinswasn’tKittyCollinsnow，butMrs。BenjaminWatsonofNantucket—thegoodsoulsatdownonthemeal—chestandsobbedasif—toquotefromCaptainNutter—asifahusbandofherownhadturnedup！
Ahappiersetofpeoplethanwewerenevermettogetherinadingykitchenoranywhereelse。TheCaptainorderedafreshdecanterofMadeira，andmadeallhands，exceptingmyself，drinkacuptothereturnof"theprodigalsea—son，"ashepersistedincallingSailorBen。
AfterthefirstflushofjoyandsurprisewasoverKittygrewsilentandconstrained。Nowandthenshefixedhereyesthoughtfullyonherhusband。
Whyhadhedesertedheralltheseyears？Whatrighthadhetolookforawelcomefromonehehadtreatedsocruelly？Shehadbeentruetohim，buthadhebeentruetoher？SailorBenmusthaveguessedwhatwaspassinginhermind，forpresentlyhetookherhandandsaid—"Well，lass，it’salongyarn，butyoushallhaveitallingoodtime。Itwasmyhardluckasmadeuspartcompany，an’nowillofmine，forIlovedyoudear。"
Kittybrightenedupimmediately，needingnootherassuranceofSailorBen’sfaithfulness。
Whenhishourhadexpired，wewalkedwithhimdowntothewharf，wheretheCaptainheldaconsultationwiththemate，whichresultedinanextensionofMr。Watson’sleaveofabsence，andafterwardsinhisdischargefromhisship。Wethenwenttothe"Mariner’sHome"toengagearoomforhim，ashewouldn’thearofacceptingthehospitalitiesoftheNutterHouse。
"Yousee，I’monlyanuneddicatedman，"heremarkedtomygrandfather，bywayofexplanation。
ChapterSixteenInWhichSailorBenSpinsaYarnOfcoursewewereallverycurioustolearnwhathadbefallenSailorBenthatmorninglongago，whenhebadehislittlebridegoodbyanddisappearedsomysteriously。
Aftertea，thatsameevening，weassembledaroundthetableinthekitchen—theonlyplacewhereSailorBenfeltathome3/4tohearwhathehadtosayforhimself。
Thecandlesweresnuffed，andapitcheroffoamingnut—brownalewassetattheelbowofthespeaker，whowasevidentlyembarrassedbytherespectabilityofhisaudience，consistingofCaptainNutter，MissAbigail，myself，andKitty，whosefaceshonewithhappinesslikeoneofthepolishedtinplattersonthedresser。
"Well，myhearties，"commencedSailorBen—thenhestoppedshortandturnedveryred，asitstruckhimthatmaybethiswasnotquitetheproperwaytoaddressadignitaryliketheCaptainandasevereelderlyladylikeMissAbigailNutter，whosatboltuprightstaringathimasshewouldhavestaredattheTycoonofJapanhimself。
"Iain’tmuchofahandatspinnin’ayarn，"remarkedSailorBen，apologetically，"’speciallywhentheyarnisallaboutamanashasmadeafoolofhisself，an’’speciallywhenthatman’snameisBenjaminWatson。"
"Bravo！"criedCaptainNutter，rappingonthetableencouragingly。
"Thankee，sir，thankee。IgobacktothetimewhenKittyan’mewaslivin’
inlodgin’sbythedockinNewYork。Wewasashappy，sir，astwoporpusses，whichtheytoilnotneitherdotheyspin。ButwhenIseedthemoneygittin’lowinthelocker—Kitty’sstarboardstockin’，savin’yourpresence，marm—Igotdown—heartedlike，seem’asIshouldbeobleegedtoshipagin，foritdidn’tseemasIcoulddomuchashore。An’thentheseawasmynat’ralspearofaction。Iwasn’texactlybornonit，lookyou，butIfellintoitthefusttimeIwasletoutartermybirth。MymotherslippedhercableforaheavenlyportaforeIwasoldenoughtohailher;
soIlarnttolookontheoceanforasortofstep—mother—an’aprecioushardoneshehasbeentome。