coming back to wag their tails upon the shallows, a pleasant race of men

should take their pleasure, and leave flints to be skinned by the sons

of flint.

This was the reason why Miss Dolly Darling had watched in vain at

the Monday morning tide for the bold issue of the fishing fleet. The

weariless tide came up and lifted the bedded keel and the plunged

forefoot, and gurgled with a quiet wash among the straky bends, then

lurched the boats to this side and to that, to get their heft correctly,

and dandled them at last with their bowsprits dipped and their little

mast-heads nodding. Every brave smack then was mounted, and riding, and

ready for a canter upon the broad sea: but not a blessed man came to set

her free. Tethered by head and by heel, she could only enjoy the poised

pace of the rocking-horse, instead of the racer's delight in careering

across the free sweep of the distance.

Springhaven had done so well last week, that this week it meant to do

still better, by stopping at home till the money was gone, and making

short work afterward. Every man thoroughly enjoyed himself, keeping

sober whenever good manners allowed, foregoing all business, and

sauntering about to see the folk hard at work who had got no money. On

Wednesday, however, an order was issued by Captain Zebedee Tugwell that

all must be ready for a three days' trip when the tide should serve,

which would be at the first of the ebb, about ten in the morning. The

tides were slackening now, and the smacks had required some change of

berth, but still they were not very far from the Admiral's white gate.

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