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？\"