Pagina 61 de 416

"Yes, indeed; she was very happy about it, and told me to come

right down and tell you."

"Wal, if it suits her it suits me," was the dry conclusion. "I

hope you'll be happy. You've got a fine gal there, Nat."

"I know I have, captain," said Burns warmly; "and I'll try to

make her happy."

"All right," grunted Bijonah, and sank back into his chair.

Between praising one man who saved his youngest boy, and

congratulating another who was to marry his eldest girl, Captain

Tanner's day had been over full of ceremonial.

Face to face with the inevitable, Code Schofield offered sincere

but embarrassed congratulations; and he was secretly glad that,

when opportunity offered for him to shake Nat Burns's hand, that

young gentleman was busy lighting a cigarette.

The lovers went inside, and Code stood dejectedly, leaning

against the railing. Tanner removed his pipe and spat over the

railing.

"It's too blamed bad!" he muttered.

"What?" asked Code, almost unconsciously.