Seite 39 von 416

He thought of going up-stairs to bed, but remembered that his

mother was not in, and decided he would rest a little while and

then go out and find her. Suddenly it seemed very luxurious and

grateful to be able to stretch at full length after so much

labor, and within a few minutes this sense of luxury had become a

pleasant oblivion.

Voices and a bright light woke him up. Dazed and alarmed, he

struggled to a sitting posture, but a gently firm hand pushed him

down again and he heard his mother's voice.

"Lay down again, Code," she said. "You must be pretty well beat

out with all you've done to-night. We've just got some friends

for the night. Poor boy, let me see your burns!"

Schofield, who had guided schooners for years through the gales

and shoals of the Bay of Fundy without a qualm, became red and

ashamed at his mother's babying. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he sat

up again determinedly and made an effort to greet the company

who, he knew, had come into the room with his mother.