THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 MABEL R. GILLIS
 
 THE STARRY FLAG; 
 
 OR, THK 
 
 YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN, 
 
 BY 
 
 OLIVER OPTIC, 
 
 4OTHOR OF "TOCNG AMERICA ABROAD," "THE ARMY AND NAVY 3TOBIK3,' 
 
 "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," "THE BOAT-CLUB STOEIES," 
 
 "THE KIVERIJALE STORIES," ETC. 
 
 BOSTON 
 LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 
 
 1899
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, In the year 1867, by 
 
 WILLIAM T. ADAMS, 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 
 
 COPYBIGHT, 1895, BY "WlLLIAM T. ADAMS. 
 
 All rights reserved. 
 
 TARRY FLAG.
 
 PS 
 OO 
 
 TO 
 
 MY YOUNG FBIEND, 
 JANE LEE TAYLOR^ 
 
 IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 
 
 577459
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE STARRY FLAG is the first of a series of stories now in 
 course of publication in " Oliver Optic's Magazine, OUR BOYS 
 AND GIRLS." As it appeared in weekly instalments, it was 
 received with a degree of favor as unexpected as it was grati 
 fying to the author; and he gratefully acknowledges the kind 
 ness of his young friends, whose partiality to his works has 
 heen so often and so agreeably manifested. 
 
 Although this story is mainly fiction, it is not without a 
 foundation of truth, both in the relations of the hero to his 
 uncle, and in the singular event upon which the turning-point 
 of the plot rests. The localities of the various incidents are 
 intended to be correctly described, as they were fixed in the 
 mind of the writer by a pleasant sojourn of a few weeks on 
 Cape Ann during a summer vacation. 
 
 It is more important that the hero should be worthy of the 
 
 admiration and regard of the reader than that merely local 
 
 (6)
 
 6 PKKFACB. 
 
 surroundings should be accurately delineated; and the author 
 hopes that his young friends, while they strive to be as resolute 
 and daring as Levi, will also endeavor to be as noble and true, 
 as void of offence before God and man, as he labored to be. 
 
 Since the publication of The Starry Flag was completed 
 in the Magazine, the author has found allusions to it in at least 
 a hundred letters from young persons, who seem to be strongly 
 impressed with the opinion that the whole story has not been 
 told. Though it was not his original purpose to write a second 
 story with the same characters, the author has neither the 
 inclination nor the courage to disappoint his young friends, 
 and at no distant period the fortunes of Levi Fairfield and 
 Bessie Watson will be followed to a more satisfactory conclu 
 sion in a Sequel to The Starry Flag. 
 
 HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., 
 September 17, 1867.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEK I. r A01 
 
 THE DINGY DORY t 11 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Two HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS. .... 22 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 DOCK VINCENT , .33 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 A PITCHED BATTLE. .45 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 LEVI FAIRFIELD'S CHAMBER. ... 57 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 WHO STOLE THE WALLET ? . -69 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Oro EASTERN POINT . . 80 
 
 CD
 
 8 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 THE TEMPEST AND THE WRECK 92 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 AFTER THE SQUALL. 103 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 DOCK VINCENT'S LITTLE PLAN 114 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 LEVI'B CHAMBER 126 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 LEVI MAKES A SPEECH 137 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 MR. HATCH'S TESTIMONY. 149 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 AFTER THE EXAMINATION 161 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 LEVI EXPLORES THE CHIMNEY 172 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 ON MIKE'S POINT 183 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 THE EVIL MAN 104
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 THE STARRY FLAG GOES TO SEA 205 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 DOCK VINCENT'S LETTER. ...... 216 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 THE CRUISE OF THE STARRY FLAG 228 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 THE STARRY FLAG COMES TO ANCHOR. . . . 239 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 251 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 THE NIGHT AND THE GALE 263 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 THE RETURN OF THE STARRY FLAG 274 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 THE RESULT OF THE EXAMINATION 286 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 CONCLUSION 300
 
 THE STARRY FLAG; 
 
 OB, 
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THB DIN^GY DORY. 
 
 iTJT I must have one more bath before we go 
 father," said Bessie Watson, as she gazed down 
 into the clear, blue waters of the sea, which surged 
 against the rocks near the hotel on Cape Ann, where 
 she and her parents had been spending a week. 
 
 " There is hardly time, Bessie," rep'J'>'i Mr. Watson, 
 as he consulted his watch. 
 
 "What time is it, father?" 
 
 "Quarter past eight." 
 
 "There is time enough then." 
 
 "I don't like to have you bathe here, Bessie. It
 
 12 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 is a dangerous place, and I'm going to Rye Beach 
 almost wholly because you are so fond of the salt 
 water. I have been afraid, every time you went in, 
 that you would slip off that rock." 
 
 " There is no danger." 
 
 "I think there is." 
 
 " The rope will prevent any accident." 
 
 " The rope is some protection, but I don't think 
 the place is safe." 
 
 "Just one more plunge, pa; I shall feel so much 
 better for the journey!" pleaded Bessie, whose bright 
 eyes and pretty face were so eloquent that the indul 
 gent father could not resist them. 
 
 Undoubtedly Mr. Watson was entirely correct in his 
 estimate of the bathing facilities of the particular point 
 on Cape Ann of which we write. The hotel was lo 
 cated on high land, Avhich terminated at the shore in 
 ragged rocks and steep precipices. There was no beach, 
 not even a patch of sand, on which the bather could 
 obtain a foothold. A sloping rock, which afforded not 
 more than a couple of square rods of flat surface, had 
 been selected for bathing purposes. A rope, secured 
 on perpendicular iron bars set in the rock, had been
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 13 
 
 stretched around it, to prevent the bathers from being 
 earned off by the surf, or from venturing beyond their 
 depth. 
 
 Mr. Watson was a wealthy merchant from the city, 
 and Bessie was his only child. If she had not been 
 spoiled by over-indulgence, it was because there was so 
 little waywardness in her nature ; because she was too 
 gentle and affectionate to take advantage of the weak 
 ness of her parents. Bathing in itself was a pleasant 
 and harmless recreation ; and, as it was the principal 
 element of sea-shore life, Bessie thought it was quite 
 proper that she should indulge in a plunge on the pres 
 ent occasion. There was no possible objection except 
 the alleged insecurity of the place ; and, as she had 
 bathed there a half a dozen times before without 
 being washed off the rocks, it might be done just 
 once more. 
 
 Her father yielded the point; and it was a happy 
 reflection for him that this was the last time he 
 should be compelled to yield. The bathing dressea 
 were sent for, and father and daughter made haste 
 to improve the short time left to them for the invig 
 orating recreation. During the night the wind had 
 2
 
 14 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 been blowing fresh from the south-west, which in this 
 locality always produces a heavy sea. The weather 
 was now warm and pleasant, with a light breeze 
 from the westward ; but the waves, from the effects 
 of the night wind, were still strong and heavy. 
 
 Bessie rushed into the water, closely followed by 
 her father. A great billow immediately " tipped her 
 over;" but she sprang to her feet again, leaping and 
 shouting with childish delight. It was rare sport to 
 her ; and, if she had been a fish, to the watery " manor 
 born," she could not have enjoyed it more, nor have 
 felt more perfectly at home. Another great wave 
 rolled up, and again she was lifted from her feet like 
 a piece of cork, and would have been dashed against 
 the bathing hut, if she had not grasped the rope. 
 
 " This won't do, Bessie," said Mr. Watson, shaking 
 his head. 
 
 " Why, pa, I think it's delicious," replied Bessie, in 
 a silvery scream. 
 
 " The waves are a great deal stronger than I sup 
 posed. I can hardly keep my feet." 
 
 " O, do keep them, pa ! You will want them when 
 we get to Rye," shouted the excited little miss.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 15 
 
 " Come, Bessie, don't stay in any longer." 
 
 "We haven't been in two minutes. Don't go out 
 yet, that's a dear pa." 
 
 " I'm afraid the sea will carry you off. Be a good 
 girl, Bessie, and go out now." 
 
 " Just a minute or two longer, father. I will keep 
 hold of the rope ; I won't let go ; and I shall be just 
 as safe here as I should be in the house." 
 
 "Be very careful then, for you have no idea of 
 the strength of these waves." 
 
 " There isn't a bit of danger, pa not a bit," re 
 plied the sylph, as she extended her agile form upon 
 the water, and began to beat the blue brine with her 
 delicate little feet. 
 
 But the water was not quite deep enough near 
 the cliff for certain aquatic feats, suggested to her 
 vivid imagination by the presence of the rope, and 
 she followed the line out to the part which ran par 
 allel with the shore. There she hung under the 
 guard, and flapped and floundered, and kicked and 
 buffeted the great waves, screaming all the time, as 
 young ladies always do, in the exuberance of her 
 delight. Her father attempted to assist her in the
 
 16 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 exhilarating fun of the occasion ; but he was so anx 
 ious and so nervous for the safety of the sportive 
 little mermaid, that he did not materially increase 
 the merriment of the moment, though his presence 
 was always a joy to his daughter. 
 
 About the time Bessie's tiny feet touched the cool 
 ing waters, a dory, loaded to the rail, and heaped up 
 in the middle, with dog-fish, rounded the rocky point, 
 a few rods beyond the bathing-place. This boat con 
 tained the hero of our story, and it was quite proper 
 that it should round the point at this particular mo 
 ment, when our readers are reasonably sure that Miss 
 Bessie will unfortunately lose her hold of the guard 
 rope, and be carried out into the deep water by a 
 treacherous retreating wave. 
 
 The dory which contained the important personage 
 alluded to, whose presence suggests heroic deeds and 
 tender words, was not at all like Cleopatra's barge, 
 and was utterly unworthy the honor of receiving on 
 board the gentle water-sprite who was laving her 
 locks in the brine on the ledge. The dory had been 
 pieced and patched till there was not much of the 
 original fabric left. She had been tinned and tin-
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 17 
 
 kered, tarred and pitched, calked and puttied, until 
 she would condescend to remain on the top of the 
 water, apparently in acknowledgment of the perse 
 verance rather than the skill of him who had the 
 audacity to attempt to make such a craft float. But 
 she did float, and bore up a goodly freight of staring 
 dog-fish. 
 
 Bent on a rude mast, stepped through the fore 
 thwart of the dory, was a small sprit-sail, which, like 
 the hull beneath it, was " a thing of shreds and 
 patches," and which was even a better exponent of 
 the ingenuity and perseverance of him who spread it 
 to the breeze of that soft summer morning. Nearly 
 amidships, with the dog-fish heaped up before and 
 behind him, sat the author and finisher more espe 
 cially the finisher of the dingy, uncouth, and un 
 graceful craft we have described. With both hands 
 he held a worm-eaten oar firmly against the side of 
 the boat, the blade projecting down into the water 
 below the bottom of the dory, thus serving the 
 double purpose of keel and rudder. 
 
 Levi Fair-field would not have passed muster in 
 the drawing-room of wealth and fashion, or even in 
 2*
 
 18 THE 8TAEEY FLAG, OE 
 
 the humbler parlor of the Cape Ann nabob ; but he 
 was an exceedingly good fellow for all that, and fit 
 to be the hero of a more pretentious story than the 
 one we aspire to tell. It is quite true that his 
 clothes consisted of as many patches as his sail, and 
 as mighty a struggle had been made to induce them 
 to hold together, as had been expended on the boat 
 itself; and they were daubed from head to foot with 
 dog-fish slime, to say nothing of numerous dabs of 
 paint and pitch, tar and grease. But underneath this 
 garb of unseemly cut and doubtful unity were iron 
 muscles and a heart of steel. Inconsistent as it was 
 with his homely dress, and inconsistent as it may 
 seem to present a youthful hero hi the first chapter 
 with his wealth already piled up, Levi Fairfield's for 
 tune as fortunes were measured on Cape Ann 
 was made. His father had left him considerable 
 property, and his uncle, whose only god was money, 
 had been appointed his guardian. 
 
 Levi was ambitious, not for his future alone, but 
 for the present. There were two things he wanted, 
 and of which he felt himself to be especially in 
 need a new suit of clothes and a new boat; and
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 19 
 
 he wanted the boat more than he wanted the clothes, 
 which will not seem very strange to all wide 
 awake boys, fond of snuffing salt-water air, and sail 
 ing in crack boats. 
 
 On the week before we present our aquatic her^ 
 to the reader, there had been a great fair held in a 
 mammoth tent by one of the religious societies in 
 the place, to obtain money to build a church. A 
 devout and devoted brother in a neighboring town 
 had built a sail-boat, a handsome and substantial 
 craft, and presented it to the church, to be sold for 
 the benefit of the enterprise. This boat, patriotically 
 named " The Starry Flag," had been sent round to 
 the town, and moored at a wharf near the great tent. 
 It had been used to carry out parties from the fair, 
 and thus contributed something to the object ; but it 
 had not been sold. 
 
 " The Starry Flag " was Levi's ideal of a good 
 boat, and he used to gaze at her with delighted eyes 
 from his dilapidated dory. He longed to possess 
 her ; longed to own her ; to go a-fishing and sailing 
 in her. Not alone as a pleasure craft did he covet 
 her; but he felt that he could make her pay. What
 
 20 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 a load of dog-fish she could bring in ! What a party 
 of ladies and gentlemen he could take out to the 
 fishing grounds in her ! In a word, she would be a 
 present fortune to him. 
 
 He entertained some serious thoughts of applying 
 to his uncle for two hundred and fifty dollars, the 
 sum asked for " The Starry Flag ; " but he rejected 
 the idea after faithful consideration, for he knew that 
 it would be easier to squeeze a quart of milk out of 
 a cubic foot of Rockport granite, than to get two 
 hundred and fifty dollars out of his uncle for any 
 purpose whatever, unless it was to pay his nephew's 
 funeral expenses. Levi wanted that boat, and he con 
 tinued to want it up to the time when he rounded 
 the point beyond the bathing-place. 
 
 We assure our impatient readers who have con 
 sented to follow us through this account of Levi 
 Fail-field and his antecedents, that Bessie Watson is 
 not yet drowned, and hasn't even slipped off the flat 
 rock into the deep water. We regret the delay, but 
 it would be absurd to have a young lady rescued 
 from a watery grave without knowing anything about 
 the person who is to achieve the heroic deed. In
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 21 
 
 the next, if not in the present generation, when a 
 bold-hearted young fellow is to rescue a helpless dam 
 sel from impending fire or water, it will be absolutely 
 necessary to introduce him before he plunges in. 
 
 After leading our readers to anticipate the appall' 
 ing event suggested at the beginning of this chapter, 
 it would be cruel to disappoint them; and, with no 
 ill-will against poor Bessie, whom we both admire 
 and love, we are compelled to let her lose her hold 
 upon the rope, and to permit the ugly wave, with 
 one fell swoop, to bear her far out beyond the reach 
 of her agonized father. 
 
 " See me, pa ! " shouted she, as she sprang out of 
 the water into the air, just as the "tenth wave," the 
 greatest of all, swept under her. " Isn't this fun ! " 
 
 She descended as the billow rolled back whitened 
 with foam from the rocks, and buried herself in the 
 milky surge. The heavy volume of water rushed 
 against her, wrenched her grasp from the line, and 
 earned her shrieking out into the water.
 
 22 THE STAERY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS. 
 
 LEYI F AIRFIELD was fifteen years old when 
 his dingy dory rounded the point above where 
 Bessie Watson was bathing. His father had been a 
 fisherman, and had made a Cape Ann fortune in the 
 fishing business. It is rather beneath the dignity of 
 history, and even of the higher flights of story-telling, 
 to descend to particulars; but we are compelled, in 
 this instance, to acknowledge that Captain Fail-field's 
 fortune was only fifteen thousand dollars, as rated 
 by the appraisers after his decease ; and even these 
 figures shrank to ten thousand when the smacks 
 were sold, and the debts due his estate collected. 
 
 This was Levi Fairfield's fortune, and there was 
 not the least need for him to soil his trousers with 
 dabs of tar and rancid grease. When Captain Fair- 
 field was dead, as Levi, then only eight years old,
 
 TfiUE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 23 
 
 bad no mother, the probate court, in its ineffable 
 wisdom, appointed the lad's uncle to be the guardian 
 of his person and his property to feed, clothe, and 
 educate him in a manner conforming to his worldly 
 circumstances. The selection would have been a very 
 good one, if Nathan Fail-field, the captain's brother, 
 had been a decent man, with even tolerably enlarged 
 ideas of the duty a parent or guardian owes to a 
 child, especially when the child has money to pay for 
 all he needs moral, intellectual, and material. 
 
 Uncle Nathan was mean, close, parsimonious he 
 called it economical. He sent the boy to school two 
 months in the winter, and worked him like a truck- 
 horse the rest of the time. It was generally believed 
 that, if Levi should fall overboard and be drowned, 
 or tumble off a cliff and break his neck, his guardian 
 would not mourn as one without hope. 
 
 When Levi attained the age of fourteen, he began 
 to have some decided views of his own. He liked 
 to work, but he wanted to make something by his 
 labor. He felt the need of a little more learning 
 than his uncle's stingy policy had permitted him to 
 obtain. Having a will of his own, he had already
 
 24 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 decided to purchase a fine schooner, and go into the 
 fishing business as soon as the law would allow him 
 to handle his own money. He was a boy of energy 
 and enterprise, and in spite of his uncle, who had no 
 claim upon his time, he had already gone to work on 
 his own hook, mainly for the purpose of improving 
 his education. Purchasing the wreck of an old dory 
 with money earned by himself, he had made it into 
 the craft in which we now find him. 
 
 Levi was dissatisfied with his position. He was 
 worth ten thousand dollars, and dressed meaner than 
 the sons of fishermen and stone-cutters. He had 
 another suit of clothes at home, but it was hardly 
 better than that he wore ; at least, it was none too 
 good to wear every day ; but uncle Nathan held the 
 purse-strings, and would not loosen them while the 
 rags held together. There was a very wide differ 
 ence of opinion between them on this subject, as 
 indeed there was on many others, so that their rela 
 tions were far from harmonious and agreeable. 
 
 As Levi sat in the dory, proud and happy in the 
 possession of so many dog-fish, whose unctuous livers 
 would add eight or ten dollars to his worldly wealth,
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 2 
 
 he glanced occasionally at the beautiful little sylph 
 who was beating the angry waves with her delicate 
 limbs. He had seen Bessie Watson before, and it 
 had even occurred to him that she was the fairest 
 young lady he had ever beheld. 
 
 " Creation ! " shouted the young fisherman, as he 
 saw the receding wave tear her from the rope, and 
 bear her far out from her father. 
 
 " Help me ! O, help me ! " cried the little maiden, 
 terribly alarmed, as the great waves lifted her on 
 their stormy crests, and then buried her beneath the 
 surges. 
 
 Her father was filled with agony. He was no 
 swimmer, but he fearlessly plunged from the rope, 
 and attempted to reach his struggling child. He was 
 powerless to save her, for he could not even save 
 himself. 
 
 Levi Fairfield let out the sheet of his ragged sail, 
 and headed the dory, which was jumping Avildly over 
 the waves, towards the spot where Bessie was strug 
 gling for life. He was a skilful boatman, and, put 
 ting his helm down, he " spilled " the sail, and came 
 to at the leeward of her. Reaching out, he grasped 
 3
 
 *O THE STAKRY FLAG, Oil 
 
 Bessie by the arm, and attempted to pull her urce 
 the boat ; but the dory was loaded to its utmost 
 capacity, and refused to be further imposed upon, 
 even in so good a cause. In spite of Levi's care 
 and skill, the dory rolled over, and emptied a large 
 portion of the dog-fish into the sea. But the intrepid 
 youth held on to his fair burden, and, taking to the 
 water himself, finally succeeded in getting her into 
 the dory. 
 
 By this time the young fisherman was completely 
 exhausted by his exertions, and could only hold on 
 at the gunwale of the water-logged craft. A boat 
 had already put off from the shore, and having res 
 cued Mr. Watson, came to the assistance of Levi. 
 
 " O father ! father ! " cried Bessie, as she sprang 
 into his arms, "I am safe." 
 
 " My child ! " exclaimed the father, whose eyes were 
 involuntarily raised to heaven as he clasped her to 
 his heart, in devout thanksgiving for the safety of 
 the beloved child. 
 
 "I've lost nearly all my dog-fish," said Levi, as he 
 climbed over the stern of the dory. 
 
 The boatman who had picked up Mr. Watson
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 27 
 
 pulled to the shore with his passengers, paying no 
 attention to the situation of the young fisherman. 
 Levi needed no assistance. Hauling up his sheet, he 
 filled away again, and soon reached the shore. The 
 adventure, however romantic, was not entirely satis 
 factory to the fisherman, for he had lost two thirds- 
 of his cargo, and neither father nor daughter had yet 
 even thanked him for his services. 
 
 It is of no use to cry for spilled milk, or spilled 
 dog-fish ; therefore Levi did not cry. He threw the 
 remainder of his fish into a hollow in the rocks, and 
 baled out the dory, intending to pull out and save 
 what he could of those which had gone overboard. 
 "While he was thus occupied, Mr. Watson and Bessie, 
 who had dried and dressed themselves in the bathing 
 hut, and were hardly the worse for the catastrophe, 
 approached the spot. 
 
 "Young man, you have saved my daughter's life, 
 and I am very grateful to you," said Mr. Watson. 
 
 " O, that's nothing, sir. I always pick up anything 
 I find adrift," replied Levi, with a broad laugh. 
 
 " You saved me, and I shall remember you aa 
 long as I live," added Bessie, warmly.
 
 28 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 Both father and daughter expressed their admira 
 tion and gratitude for the prompt and skilful manner 
 in which he had rescued the little maiden from the 
 waves. 
 
 " Now, Levi, what can I do for you ? I owe you 
 more than I can ever pay." 
 
 " I don't charge anything, sir, for what I've done. 
 I should expect to be picked up myself if I broke 
 adrift, as the young lady did, and I'm always willing 
 to do as much as that for any one," replied Levi. 
 "I'm sure I would like to save a nice girl like her 
 every day in the week." 
 
 Levi cast a timid glance of admiration at Bessie, 
 and her father seemed to have some doubts about 
 offering to pay one with so much pride and dignity 
 for what he had done. 
 
 " I shall gratefully remember you as long as I 
 live ; but I wish to do something for you now," 
 added the merchant. 
 
 " I don't ask anything ; but if you have a mind 
 to pay for the dog-fish I lost overboard in the 
 scrape, I will call it square." 
 
 "ITow much are they worth?" laughed Mr. Watson.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 29 
 
 "Well, I don't know five or six dollars. That 
 will make me whole, and I don't want anything 
 more." 
 
 "I will certainly do that; and I wish to do much 
 more. Is this your boat ? " asked the merchant, 
 pointing to the dingy dory. 
 
 " Yes, sir ; such as she is, she is mine." 
 
 " It isn't much of a boat." 
 
 "That's a fact. But she's the best I can get. I 
 fixed her up, so she answers pretty well." 
 
 "Don't you want a better boat?" 
 
 " I expect to have one some time." 
 
 "Wouldn't you like one now?" 
 
 "I don't know but I would." 
 
 "Do you know of a good one about here?" 
 
 " There was one round here ' The Starry Flag ; ' 
 may be you have seen her. She's a nice boat, if 
 you want one." 
 
 " Where is she now ? " 
 
 " They have taken her round to Gloucester." 
 
 "What is the price of her?" 
 
 "Two hundred and fifty dollars." 
 
 "Do you know where to find her?" 
 3*
 
 80 THE STAKKY FLAG, OK 
 
 "I think I could find her." 
 
 "You shall have her, Levi." 
 
 " I ! " exclaimed the young fisherman. " I gave 
 her up some time ago." 
 
 " I will make you a present of her," added Mr. 
 Watson. 
 
 " Well, no, sir ; I don't exactly like that way of 
 doing things," replied Levi, gazing upon the rock at 
 his feet, sorely tempted by the offer, yet disliking to 
 be paid for the humane act he had done. 
 
 " You need a better boat, Levi, and I insist upon 
 your having The Starry Flag." 
 
 " I don't want to be paid." 
 
 " I'm not going to pay you, my boy : I couldn't 
 do that, if I tried. I am going to Rye to-day, but 
 I will give you the money to pay for the boat, and 
 you shall go to Gloucester for her yourself." 
 
 " I want the boat very bad, I won't deny ; and per* 
 haps I'll borrow the money of you. I'm rich myself, 
 but my stingy uncle won't give me a red cent." 
 
 " You need not borrow it," said the merchant, 
 taking two hundred and fifty dollars from his pocket. 
 "It is yours."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 31 
 
 " On the whole, I guess I will borrow it," replied 
 Levi, taking the bills. "I don't want anything for 
 saving your daughter." 
 
 "Let him borrow it, father, ii he wants to," inter 
 posed Bessie, who was delighted with Levi's honesty 
 and delicacy. 
 
 Mr. Watson yielded the point, though it is not at 
 all likely that he intended the money should ever be 
 returned to him. 
 
 "And here is ten dollars for the fish you lost," 
 added the merchant, handing him another bill. 
 
 "It's only six dollars at the most, and I can v t 
 change this," replied Levi. 
 
 " Never mind ; take the whole of it." 
 
 " There comes the stage, father ; we must hurry 
 up to the house," said Bessie. 
 
 "Good by, Levi," added Mr. Watson. "I shall 
 never forget you, and I mean to do something more 
 for you." 
 
 " Stop a minute ; I want to give you my note for 
 this money, and get your change." 
 
 "I can't stop now," laughed the rich merchant 
 * Come, Bessie."
 
 32 THE STARRY FLA, OR 
 
 " Good by, Levi," said the water sprite, giving him 
 her little hand. " I shall always remember you and 
 pray for you." 
 
 " Thank you, miss ; it's not every fellow that gets 
 a chance to pick up a lady like you in the water. 
 Good by." 
 
 She bounded after her father, leaving Levi with 
 two hundred and sixty dollars in his hand. He was 
 astonished and delighted at the result of the ad 
 venture. 
 
 " The Starry Flag is mine as sure as I'm alive ! " 
 exclaimed he, as Mr. Watson and Bessie disappeared 
 beyond the
 
 THE YOUNG FISHEllMAN OF CAPE ANN. 33 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 DOCK VINCENT. 
 
 TWO hundred and fifty dollars ! " exclaimed Levi 
 Fairfield, as he looked at the bills in his hand. 
 " I wouldn't have believed it ; but it's a fact. I 
 rather think uncle Nathan's eyes would stick out 
 some, if he saw these big figures. But they are not 
 for him to see ; he'd take the money away from me, 
 and make me dress in rags, as he always has." 
 
 Levi rolled up the bills, and placed them in a 
 dilapidated wallet he carried in his pocket. The 
 bright vision of " The Starry Flag " was actually 
 realized ; or it would be, if his miserly uncle did not 
 get the money away from him. With the new boat 
 he could make money enough to procure all the 
 clothes he needed, and to buy a whole library of 
 books. He intended to go to school for six months, 
 as soon as the boating season was over, whether his
 
 34 THE STABKY FLAG, OB 
 
 uncle was willing or not. He was fond of reading, 
 and so far as his time and means would permit, he 
 indulged the taste. 
 
 It was necessary that he should conceal the two 
 hundred and fifty dollars from his uncle, until the 
 new boat had been purchased. He had taken it as 
 a loan from Mr. Watson, and he intended to pay it 
 when he came into possession of his property. He 
 chose to take this view of his acceptance of the 
 money, for it was pleasanter than the idea of being 
 paid for doing a deed of kindness. He wished to 
 go immediately to Gloucester, and buy the boat ; 
 but he could not go in the ragged and filthy gar 
 ments he wore, now drenched with water, and it 
 would excite the curiosity of his uncle and aunt if 
 he went home and changed them. He hoped that at 
 dinner time he should be able to effect his purpose. 
 
 As there was nothing to be done about the busi 
 ness at present, he sat down in the sun, which was 
 rapidly drying his wet clothes, and proceeded to 
 extract the livers from the dog-fish. He had been 
 unusually fortunate this morning. It was his third 
 trip of the season, and he was satisfied, before h
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 35 
 
 lost any of his fish, that the cargo would yield him 
 about ten dollars' worth of livers, which were then 
 selling at a dollar and a half a bucket. With the 
 ten dollars Mr. Watson had given him, the proceeds 
 of the trip would amount to at least thirteen dollars, 
 which, with what he had before, increased his funds 
 to twenty-one dollars. 
 
 Levi felt like a rich man, independent of the two 
 hundred and fifty dollars, which he regarded as a 
 loan ; and he was determined, when he went to 
 Gloucester for The Starry Flag, to buy a suit of 
 clothes. He had enough to think of, therefore, and 
 was so busy that he did not notice the approach of 
 a man, who was descending the rocks to the place 
 where he sat. 
 
 " Well, Levi, you lost most of your dog-fish in 
 that scrape," said Dock Vincent, the person who had 
 gone out in the boat after Mr. Watson and his 
 daughter, when he reached the place where the 
 young fisherman was at work. 
 
 " I lost a good many of them," replied Levi, rather 
 coldly, for Dock Vincent was not a person whom he 
 regarded with much favor.
 
 36 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "What did he give you?" 
 
 " He did the handsome thing by me." 
 
 " Did he ! " sneered Dock. " He is the meanest 
 man this side of Cape Horn." 
 
 " I don't think so," added Levi, decidedly. 
 
 " What do you think he gave me for saving his 
 life ? " demanded Dock. 
 
 " I don't know. I didn't ask anything for what I 
 did. Besides, he had got hold of the rope before 
 you reached him." 
 
 " I don't care if he had ; I like to see a man who 
 has plenty of money, as he has, show something like 
 gratitude when a fellow does him a good turn." 
 
 "Didn't he thank you?" 
 
 " Thank me ? O, yes. He talked well enough 
 he and his daughter both ; but I wish I had left 
 him where I found him." 
 
 " He wouldn't have been drowned if you had." 
 
 " I don't know about that," said Dock, shaking 
 his head. 
 
 "Didn't he give you anything?" asked Levi, who 
 was much surprised to hear Mr. Watson charged 
 with meanness.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 37 
 
 " Yes, he gave me something," answered Dock, 
 with a shrug of the shoulders. " He gave me a 
 hundred-dollar bill." 
 
 "Well, I think that's a pretty good day's work 
 for you." 
 
 " He ought to have given me a thousand ; and if 
 he had given me five thousand it wouldn't have 
 hurt him." 
 
 "I think a hundred was very handsome. You 
 only pulled out a few rods from the shore, and were 
 not gone fifteen minutes." 
 
 " That's nothing to do with it ; he was mean, and 
 he shall pay for it yet. I'll make it cost him twenty 
 thousand dollars." 
 
 "What do you mean, Dock?" exclaimed Levi, 
 suspending his work, and looking up into the sinister 
 face of his companion. 
 
 " I mean something, Levi," replied Dock, with a 
 mysterious look. " What did he give you ? " 
 
 " He paid me ten dollars for the dog-fish I lost," 
 answered the young fisherman, evasively. 
 
 "Ten dollars! Why, you saved the girl's life, if 
 I didn't her father's. She would have gone down, 
 4
 
 88 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 as gure as the world, before I could have reached 
 her. Ten dollars ! That was meaner than dirt." 
 
 " Well, he did the handsome thing by me," added 
 Levi, unwilling that Mr. Watson should suffer even 
 for a single day in the estimation of his companion, 
 though it was not prudent for him to say that he 
 was the happy possessor of two hundred and fifty 
 dollars until the boat had been purchased. " I'll tell 
 you to-morrow just what he did." 
 
 " Did he give you a thousand dollars, Levi ? " 
 
 " No, he did not, nor anything like it." 
 
 " Then he was mean. Levi, if you want to make 
 a heap of money, I will put you in the way of doing 
 it," said Dock, in a low tone. 
 
 How ? " 
 
 "Will you keep still about it?" 
 
 " I don't know whether I will or not. On the 
 whole, I guess I won't have anything to do with it," 
 answered Levi, who was quite sure that any of 
 Dock's schemes for making " a heap of money " 
 could not be very honest. 
 
 " If a hundred dollars was enough for me, he ought 
 to have given you a thousand."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 
 
 "I don't think so." 
 
 " I do, and everybody will say so. Don't you 
 want to go round to Gloucester with me after din 
 ner?" continued Dock, in the most insinuating of 
 tones. " I'm going round in my schooner, and we 
 can talk over this matter on the way." 
 
 "What matter?" 
 
 " About the money." 
 
 " I don't want to talk about it ; I am satisfied 
 now ; and if you want to ask Mr. Watson for any 
 more money, you must do it without me." 
 
 " You don't understand me, Levi." 
 
 " I don't want to understand you, if you are going 
 to do any such dirty work as that. I felt mean to 
 take anything ; and I would cut my right hand off 
 before I would ask for more." 
 
 "Will you go round with me, Levi?" 
 
 The young fisherman wanted to go to Gloucester, 
 but he did not wish to have anything to do with 
 Dock Vincent, who was a reckless, dissipated, and 
 dishonest man. He was the owner of a schooner of 
 seventy tons, in which he carried freights from Rock- 
 port and Gloucester to Boston. It was plain that
 
 40 THE STAKRT FLAG, OB 
 
 Dock his full name was Waldock Vincent had 
 a purpose in his mind, in whose execution he was 
 anxious to have Levi join him, and which he wished 
 to discuss with him on the passage to the neighbor 
 ing port. 
 
 The young fisherman had no suspicion that his 
 purpose was anything worse than to ask Mr. Watson 
 for one or two thousand dollars as a reward for their 
 services in rescuing the father and daughter. Dock 
 kept his own counsel, and did not hint at his real 
 intentions, not doubting that one who had been so 
 well abused by his uncle was ripe for any scheme, 
 even if it involved some risk. What Levi regarded 
 as Dock's intention was bad enough, and the brave 
 boy morally brave now finally refused even to 
 visit Gloucester with the dangerous man. 
 
 " I'm going to ask him to do what is right," added 
 Dock. 
 
 " Ask him for yourself, then, not for me. To-mor> 
 row, if I see you, I will tell you what he gave me." 
 
 " Well, I want to see you to-morrow about this 
 matter. I think you'll come to it, after you have 
 thought it over."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 41 
 
 "No, I shall not." 
 
 Dock went off at last, satisfied that nothing could 
 be done with Levi at present. 
 
 " Ask him for more money ! Humph ! I wouldn't 
 do it if I was sure he would give me a million 
 dollars," said Levi to himself. " I should as soon 
 think of asking uncle Nathan for a thousand dol 
 lars as Mr. Watson for another hundred. I'm rich 
 now." 
 
 Levi finished his work, and carried the livers he 
 had obtained to a man in the vicinity who bought 
 them, and having received the money for them, he 
 went home to dinner. The house of Nathan Fail-field 
 was a type of the man. It was an unpainted, dingy, 
 dilapidated building, with tumble-down sheds and 
 broken fences. Within it was cheerless and uncom 
 fortable. The owner never spent a dollar when by 
 any expedient it could be saved. His wife was sharp 
 and close, like himself. They were well mated, and 
 either of them would grumble all day over the loss 
 or the misuse of a three-cent piece. 
 
 The intelligence of the exciting event off the cliff 
 had been thoroughly circulated in the neighborhood, 
 4*
 
 42 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 and Levi's uncle and aunt were already informed that 
 he had saved the life of Bessie Watson. Dock Vin 
 cent, for his own purposes, had declared that Levi 
 had received only ten dollars for his services; but 
 even this sum was enough to excite the cupidity of 
 his uncle. His guardian questioned him in regard to 
 the affair, and Levi gave a truthful account of the 
 rescue of the father and daughter. 
 
 " How much did he give you ? " asked his uncle. 
 
 " He gave me ten dollars for the fish I lost," re 
 plied Levi, still deeming the larger sum a loan. 
 
 "You've been selling livers too haven't you?" 
 
 "Yes, sir I have." 
 
 "How many have you sold?" 
 
 "All I could get," replied Levi, who was not dis 
 posed to talk very freely on this subject. 
 
 " Answer me ! " said uncle Nathan sternly. " How 
 much money have you got now ? " 
 
 " Twenty-one dollars," replied Levi, desperately. 
 
 " Twenty-one dollars ! " exclaimed the miser, open 
 ing his eyes with astonishment. " That's a great 
 deal of money for a boy to have. I think you had 
 better give it to me."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 43 
 
 "I don't think I had. I want it to buy some 
 clothes," said Levi, firmly. 
 
 " You don't need any clothes. I want you to give 
 me that money." 
 
 " I don't want to give it to you ; I want it myself." 
 
 " Levi, I'm your guardeen, and you must give me 
 that money." 
 
 " No, sir, I shall not, guardeen or no guardeen." 
 
 " Accordin to law, that money belongs to me to 
 take care on," said uncle Nathan, angrily. 
 
 " You take too good care of it for me. You are 
 my guardian, but you keep me short, and make me 
 go ragged. I earned this money myself, and I'm 
 going to get some clothes with it." 
 
 " No, you are not. I'm not goin to let you have 
 twenty-one dollars to fool away. Give it to me, this 
 minute." 
 
 " I'm willing to do anything that's right," replied 
 Levi, warmly, "but when you get this money, the 
 chickens will all be old hens." 
 
 " Will you give it to me, or shall I take it from 
 you ? " demanded the uncle, fiercely, as he stepped 
 towards the boy.
 
 44 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Neither," answered Levi, retreating to the win 
 dow. 
 
 " You young villain, I'll teach you what a guar- 
 deen is." 
 
 Uncle Nathan, roused to the highest pitch of anger, 
 rushed forward, and seized Levi by the collar.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 45 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A PITCHED BATTLE. 
 
 LEVI was alarmed for the two hundred and fifty 
 dollars in his pocket. He knew that if his 
 uncle once got his hand upon the money, it would 
 be as impossible to remove it as it would be to roll 
 back the tide of the sea. Besides, uncle Nathan had 
 a talent for getting his hands into other people's 
 pockets, at least in a figurative sense ; and in the 
 present instance the act threatened to be altogether 
 too literal for the safety of Levi's high-wrought vis 
 ions of owning and sailing The Starry Flag. He 
 was quite willing to concede his uncle's legal right 
 to the care of all his money ; but there was some 
 thing wrong, and, being no lawyer, he couldn't tell 
 exactly what it was. 
 
 Uncle Nathan was so mean and stingy that he 
 was hated and despised by all his neighbors and
 
 46 THE STAERY FLAG, OB 
 
 acquaintances ; and there were plenty of people to 
 say that it was a shame for a boy to be brought up 
 as his nephew was. The boy was deprived of propei 
 food, clothing, and education. His home was the 
 most disagreeable place he visited within the twenty- 
 four hours of a day ; and Levi, looking at the pleas 
 ant dwellings, the happy homes, of other people, could 
 not help feeling that his lot was hard, and that the 
 sons of even the common laborers were better off 
 than he was. 
 
 Smarting under the general sense of wrong, Levi 
 felt that it was his duty to do something to better 
 his condition. Boldly and bravely he was doing it. 
 He was working like a common laborer for the com 
 forts of life, which his uncle meanly denied him. 
 And now, to have the fruits of his toil wrested from 
 him by the same hard hand which had all along 
 robbed him of suitable food and raiment for which 
 his father's estate was charged was intolerable to 
 him. It was worth a hard fight, in his estimation, to 
 save even the twenty-one dollars, and much more to 
 save the two hundred and fifty, with which he was 
 to purchase The Starry Flag.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE AXN. 47 
 
 He was roused to the highest pitch of anger and 
 resentment. It was bad enough to eat such a dinner 
 as that set before him, and to dress in rags ; but to 
 have* his own money, that for which he had worked 
 hard, taken from him, roused his indignation to such 
 a degree that he was ready to be torn in pieces 
 rather than yield. It might be law for his uncle to 
 take his money, but under the circumstances he felt 
 that it would not be justice. 
 
 " Give me that money ! " said uncle Nathan, sav 
 agely, as he tightened his grasp upon Levi's collar. 
 
 " Le' me alone," cried Levi, struggling to es 
 cape. 
 
 " I'll let you alone when you give me the money." 
 
 " I won't give you the money ! I'll die first ! " 
 replied Levi, giving a desperate spring towards the 
 middle of the room. 
 
 Uncle Nathan was a powerful man, and when 
 there was any money concerned he always held on 
 tight. Holding the young man by the collar, lie 
 attempted to thrust his hand into the pocket wherein 
 had been deposited the dilapidated wallet. 
 
 *' Le' me be ! " shouted Levi.
 
 48 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " My sakes ! " exclaimed Mrs. Fail-field ; " the boy's 
 getting worse every year." 
 
 Levi doubled himself up in such a way as to pre 
 vent his uncle from reaching his pocket. 
 
 " Here, wife, you hold his hands," said the guar 
 dian, puffing under the violence of his exertions. 
 
 " Sakes alive ! I dassn't tech him," replied the 
 matron, timidly approaching the combatants. 
 
 " Go behind him, and get hold of his arms," added 
 uncle Nathan. 
 
 To avoid being flanked in this manner, Levi backed 
 up towards the table. Uncle Nathan attempted to 
 pull him away, so as to afford his timid but willing 
 ally a chance to assist him. The boy felt that the 
 battle was going against him, and it was necessary 
 for him to make a final onslaught. He kicked, strugN 
 gled, and twisted. He jumped up, lay down, and in 
 some measure exhausted his persecutor, who had 
 relaxed his exertions, though he still held on like a 
 bull-dog. Levi was young and active, and though 
 his breath was neai'ly gone, he declined to suspend 
 the struggle. 
 
 The resolute youth had been backed up against the
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 49 
 
 table again, where his exhausted oppressor wished 
 to hold him for a moment, while he recovered his 
 breath. As this seemed to be the moment for final 
 action, Levi renewed his efforts with redoubled energy. 
 His back was against the table, and in his desperate 
 effort to release himself, he had doubled himself up 
 under the extended leaf. Like everything else in 
 the mansion of Nathan Fair-field, this piece of furni 
 ture was a worn-out and rickety concern ; and as 
 Levi sprang up, he carried the leaf up with him, 
 upsetting the table, and causing all the dishes to 
 slide off upon the floor. 
 
 A general crash ensued ; ruin and destruction 
 among the dishes followed, which so astonished and 
 confounded uncle Nathan, that he loosed his hold 
 upon the little monster, and gazed with horror upon 
 the wreck, from which Levi extricated himself with 
 all possible haste. Mrs. Fairfield held up both of 
 her bony hands in grief and terror, as she gazed 
 upon the broken plates and bowls. The dishes were 
 old and black, were " nicked " and cracked in every 
 direction. They were of different colors, sizes, and 
 shapes; but they were property, and such a terrible 
 5
 
 50 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 devastation filled the miser and his wife with con 
 sternation and sorrow. They gazed upon the wreck 
 in real anguish, as though a dear friend had been 
 struck dead before their eyes. 
 
 " There ! see what you've done ! " gasped uncle 
 Nathan, when his horror and his want of breath 
 would permit him to speak. 
 
 " I didn't do it ; you did it yourself," replied Levi, 
 retreating towards the back door, so as not to be 
 flanked again. 
 
 " You didn't do it, you whelp ! " said the guardian, 
 angrily, as he stepped towards the panting youth. 
 
 " No, I didn't ; you did it yourself." 
 
 "You must be taken care of, Levi." 
 
 " I'd like to be taken care of better than I ever 
 Was yet ; but as you won't take care of me, I'm 
 going to take care of myself." 
 
 " Now, Lcvi, give me that money," added uncle 
 Nathan, and he looked as though he intended to 
 renew the battle, " and some of it shall go to pay 
 for the mischief you've done here ; " and again he 
 glanced sadly at the broken crockery ware which 
 Mrs. Fairfield was gathering up.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 51 
 
 "I'll pay for it, if you'll let me alone," answered 
 Levi, retreating towards the door. 
 
 " I'll let you alone when you give me that money ! 
 Do you think I'm going to let a boy like you fool 
 away twenty-one dollars?" 
 
 " I'm going to fool it away in buying some clothes 
 that I need." 
 
 "No, you ain't," replied the miser, testily. "I'll 
 have that money, if I have to take it out of your 
 hide." 
 
 " See here, uncle Nathan," continued Levi, in a 
 conciliatory tone, for such a quarrel was intensely 
 disagreeable to him, " I'm willing to do what's fair 
 and right. I'll give you the money, if you'll agree 
 to give me some decent clothes, and let me go to 
 school." 
 
 " I won't agree to nothin' of the sort. The money 
 belongs to me to take care on ; and if you don't 
 give it to me, I'll send a constable after you." 
 
 " Send him along," replied Levi, defiantly, as he 
 left the house. 
 
 " I don't know what we're comin' to ! " exclaimed 
 Mrs. Fail-field. "That boy '11 be the death on us."
 
 52 THE STAKKY FLAG, OR 
 
 " He shall give me that money," replied uncle Na, 
 than, shaking his head. 
 
 " You must be a little kinder easy with him ; then 
 he'll give it to you. Why didn't you wait till he'd 
 gone to bed, and then take it out of his pocket?" 
 
 " He shall give it to me. It's high time sunthin 
 was done when a boy like him is goin about town 
 with twenty-one dollars in his pocket." 
 
 " Wait till he goes to bed, and then you can 
 git it." 
 
 " He'll spend it before that time. The boy has no 
 more idee of the vally of money than he has of the 
 man in the moon. He must be looked after. The 
 next thing we shall know, he'll be drinkin rum, and 
 gamblin ; and then folks will say I didn't take good 
 care on him." 
 
 " So they will," replied the sympathizing helpmate. 
 " You must git that money by hook or by crook. 
 It'll spile the boy, as sure as Goodness gra 
 cious ! if there ain't Ruel ! " 
 
 The last remark was called forth by the appear 
 ance of an elderly man, who had entered the back 
 door without the preliminary of knocking. Ruel
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 53 
 
 Belcher was Mrs. Fail-field's brother. He was dressed 
 in his Sunday clothes, and apparently he had come 
 to pay his sister a visit. She and her husband shook 
 hands with him, and wanted to know what the news 
 was "over to Salem." Ruel told the news, and 
 imparted the gratifying information that his wife and 
 children were in good health, which uncle Nathan 
 and his wife were glad to "hear on." 
 
 "Go'n to stop long with us?" asked Nathan, who 
 had already begun to think whether or not he 
 should be obliged to purchase a beefsteak from the 
 under side of the round a luxury he was compelled 
 to have when company came. 
 
 " No, I'm going back to-night, if I can get through 
 my business," replied Ruel. 
 
 " Law sake ! you never stop none," said Mrs. Fair' 
 field. 
 
 Mr. Fail-field was glad he did not beef was high. 
 
 "I just run down to collect some money Dock 
 Vincent owes me," added Ruel Belcher. 
 
 "How much does he owe you?" asked uncle Na 
 than, curiously. 
 
 " Two hundred and fifty dollars. I was told, if I 
 5*
 
 64 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 came down now, I might get it; and I'm going to 
 do it, if I have to jug him." 
 
 " Dock is a pretty hard man to git money out of," 
 said Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 "Where's your boy? Levi, I mean." 
 
 " He's just gone out." 
 
 Ruel wanted to see him about Dock Vincent, and 
 it came out, to the visitor's great astonishment, that 
 Levi was a very bad boy ; that he had actually 
 earned twenty-one dollars, and refused to give it to 
 his honored guardian. To the surprise, not to say 
 horror, of the "guardeen" and his wife, Ruel, after 
 he had heard the whole story, rather sided with 
 Levi. He wanted to see the boy, and volunteered 
 to "talk" with him. 
 
 There was nothing in the house fit for a guest to 
 eat, and dinner was delayed. While Ruel went to 
 look for Levi, uncle Nathan, sorely exercised by the 
 bitter necessity, started for the provision store in the 
 village to procure a slice of beefsteak from the under 
 side of the round. 
 
 As Levi walked away from the house, he felt that 
 the two hundred and seventy-one dollars in his
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 55 
 
 pocket was not safe upon his person. He anticipated 
 the very action which Mrs. Fairfield had suggested ; 
 therefore he went down to the rocky cove where he 
 kept his dory, and concealed it with great care in 
 the crevice of a rock, upon which he heaped a pile 
 of stones. 
 
 Before he had fully completed the work, Ruel 
 Belcher joined him, shook hands with him, and 
 treated him very kindly. 
 
 "I hear you have twenty-one dollars, Levi," said 
 Ruel, laughing. 
 
 " I have, and I mean to keep it at least till I can 
 buy some clothes and things I want," replied Levi. 
 
 Ruel did not blame him; he gave him some good 
 advice, and even volunteered to " talk " with the old 
 man, arid induce him to do better by his nephew. 
 
 "Now, I want to find Dock Vincent, Levi," said 
 Ruel. 
 
 " He's going to Gloucester this afternoon in his 
 schooner there she lays," replied Levi, pointing ta 
 the vessel. 
 
 " He owes me some money, and I'm going to get 
 it to-day."
 
 56 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " He can pay you, I guess ; he made a hundred 
 dollars this morning." 
 
 "I'm glad to hear that." 
 
 "How much does he owe you?" asked Levi. 
 
 "Two hundred and fifty dollars." 
 
 The young fisherman glanced at the heap of stones 
 under which the price of The Starry Flag was con 
 cealed, and perhaps thought it a little odd that Dock 
 owed Ruel just that sum.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPJS AKJ*. 57' 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 LEVI FAIRFIELD'S CHAMBER. 
 
 LEVI gave Rucl Belcher such information as he 
 needed in regard to Dock's vessel, and the 
 ability of its owner to pay a just debt of two hun 
 dred and fifty dollars. 
 
 "Now, Levi, we will go up and get some dinner, 
 and then I will attend to Dock's case," said Ruel. 
 
 "I think I shall not go up to the house yet a 
 while. Uncle Nathan will give me fits if I do." 
 
 "No, he won't: you must have your dinner." 
 
 "If I don't have it, this won't be the first time 
 I've gone without my dinner." 
 
 "Do you mean to say that your uncle would not 
 give you your dinner?" 
 
 "Well, I sit down to the table sometimes when 
 there isn't enough on it for me, let alone three 
 of us."
 
 58 THK STAEKY FLAG, OK 
 
 "I know he is mean." 
 
 "Mean! That word isn't big enough to say what 
 you want to on that subject," replied Levi, with 
 emphasis. "He would boil a wooden skewer to get 
 the grease out of it. I suppose, if I should starve 
 to death, he would have the money that is coming 
 to me." 
 
 " Of course he don't mean anything of that sort." 
 
 "I don't know that he does, but I don't believe 
 he would cry his eyes out if I should die to-night." 
 
 "Perhaps not, but he wouldn't do anything to 
 help you off." 
 
 "I think he is doing it now. I don't like to say 
 much about it, but I don't always get enough to 
 eat. It is scrimp, scrimp, scrimp, from one year's 
 end to the other. I've stood this thing about as 
 long as I'm going to. I mean to have a little 
 money about me, and when there's no meat on the 
 bones at home, I'm going up to the eating-house, 
 and have my dinner." 
 
 "Don't you make it out a little worse than it is, 
 Levi?" 
 
 "No, sir! I haven't told you half."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 59 
 
 " The folks always seem to live well enough when 
 I've been here." 
 
 " Perhaps they do ; but I'd like to have company 
 all the year round," added Levi. 
 
 "I'll inquire into this business before I go, Levi, 
 if you will help me find Dock Vincent after dinner." 
 
 "I'll be here when you come down." 
 
 "No, go up and have your dinner," persisted 
 Ruel. 
 
 "I don't want to make any trouble. If uncle 
 Nathan will only let me alone, I will look out 
 for myself." 
 
 "He will." 
 
 Levi was persuaded to go to the house, and in 
 due time was helped to a small portion of the 
 '< under side of the round ; " and the young fish 
 erman thought it was a great deal tougher where 
 there was none, as his experience fully demonstrated. 
 Ruel was in a hurry, and nothing was said about 
 the affray in the kitchen; it was left till the more 
 important business of the day had been disposed of. 
 
 After dinner Levi showed Ruel where to find hia 
 debtor, and he found him; but Dock declined to
 
 60 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 pay. A lawyer was obtained, a writ issued, and 
 Dock's vessel was duly attached, just as he was 
 on the point of starting for Gloucester, where he 
 was going to load a freight for Boston. Dock was 
 mad; he was in danger of losing a profitable job; 
 and, about five in the afternoon, he paid the debt 
 and sailed for his destined port. When Ruel had 
 the money in his pocket, he found it was too late 
 to return to Salem that night,, and he was compelled 
 to accept the hospitality of his brother-in-law. 
 
 Levi had no opportunity to visit Gloucester and 
 buy The Starry Flag that day, but he determined 
 to get up before daylight the next morning, and 
 walk over, so as to have the advantage of the 
 tide in going down the bay. 
 
 " Have you talked to that boy, Ruel ? " said uncle 
 Nathan, after supper. 
 
 "Yes, I said something to him," replied the 
 brother-in-law, glancing at Levi. 
 
 " He needs seein to ; he's got so we can't do 
 nothin with him," added the guardian, sternly. 
 "He finds fault with his victuals, wants to dresa 
 tip like a dandy, and tips the table over."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 61 
 
 "I didn't tip it over," said Levi, as calmly as he 
 could. 
 
 "Don't tell me!" 
 
 "Well, I didn't, uncle Nuthan," protested the 
 young fisherman. 
 
 " Don't deny it again, sir. You know you did ! " 
 
 "You pushed me on it." 
 
 " Do you hear that, Ruel ? " added uncle Nathan, 
 appealing to the visitor. " He contradicts me just as 
 though I wan't nobody. He don't seem to know 
 what a guardeen is for." 
 
 " I think I do," replied Levi, significantly. 
 
 "That boy's got twenty-one dollars in his pocket; 
 and he won't give it to me." 
 
 " Let him have it then," laughed Ruel. 
 
 "Let him have it!" exclaimed Mr. Fairfield, with 
 an exhibition of something like horror on his skinny 
 face. 
 
 "Yes, let him have it. He is fifteen years' old, 
 and ought to know enough not to fool it away." 
 
 "He don't." 
 
 "I only want it to buy some clothes," added 
 Levi. 
 
 6
 
 62 THE STABKY FLAG, OS 
 
 "He don't need no clothes. He's got a good suit 
 Up stairs." 
 
 "Why don't he wear it, then?" suggested Ruel. 
 
 "Them's his Sunday clothes." 
 
 "I want to put them on for every day," added 
 Levi. 
 
 "To go a fishin and work in the dirt in!" ejacu 
 lated Mrs. Fairfield. Sakes alive! what are we 
 comin to!" 
 
 "I want to wear them about town; I shall put 
 on my old clothes to fish in," said Levi. 
 
 "You don't need no clothes. Them you got on is 
 good enough," protested the miser. 
 
 " I don't think they are, Nathan," added RueL 
 "They are nothing but rags and tatters. He went 
 down town with me to-day, and I'm free to say I 
 was ashamed of his looks." 
 
 " Well, he ought to put on his best clothes when 
 we have company." 
 
 "I don't know as I want to say anything more 
 about it now," said Ruel, glancing at Levi. "I see 
 you don't agree very well, and I don't want to make 
 things any worse."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 63 
 
 "He's a bad boy; I don't know what he's corain 
 to, if something ain't done," added Mr. Fairfield. 
 " To think he should keep that money when I told 
 him to give it to me me, his guardeen." 
 
 "I guess I'll go to bed; I'm going to get up 
 pretty early," continued Levi, who saw that Rue! 
 had something to say which he did not wish to 
 say before him. 
 
 "I don't know as you've got room enough for 
 me to-night," suggested the visitor, who knew that 
 there was no " spare room " in the house. 
 
 "Yes, we have, if you are willin to sleep with 
 Levi. It's a wide bed," added Mrs. Fairfield. 
 
 " O, yes, I can sleep with Levi, if he is willing." 
 
 "You are welcome to sleep with me," replied 
 Levi. 
 
 Uncle Nathan looked as though it did not make 
 much difference whether he was willing or not, and 
 Levi went to his room, leaving Ruel Belcher, whom 
 he already regarded as his friend, to plead his cause 
 before his uncle and aunt. 
 
 Ruel was faithful to the duty of the hour. He 
 knew Nathan Fairfield well enough to believe that
 
 64 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 Levi, in his complaints, had uttered no more than 
 the truth; and he was sorry to be compelled to 
 acknowledge that his sister had adopted the views 
 of her husband. He spoke very plainly of the boy's 
 affairs, and declared that he had a right to be sup 
 ported in a manner corresponding to his property. 
 
 The guardian listened impatiently to the reproof. 
 He was angry that his brother-in-law, for whose use 
 and benefit he had actually expended twenty-five 
 cents in the purchase of a slice of the "under side 
 of the round," should presume to take part with the 
 boy, and condemn his guardian. It was impolite 
 and imgrateful. 
 
 " I'm saying Avhat I do for your sake quite as much 
 as for the boy's," protested Kuel, when he found that 
 his advice was ungraciously received. 
 
 "You're takin sides Avith the boy, and encouragin 
 him to treat me as he does," replied Mr. Fail-field. 
 
 " Levi says he won't stand this any longer ; and if 1 
 know human nature, lie won't," added Ruel. " There's 
 fight in him, and he can make a good deal of trouble 
 for you." 
 
 "Sho!" exclaimed the matron.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 65 
 
 "He's made trouble enough already," added her 
 husband. 
 
 " He can go to the probate court, or get somebody 
 to do it for him; and if he -can prove half he says, 
 the judge would remove you so quick it would make 
 your head swim," added Ruel, decidedly. 
 
 "You don't say!" ejaculated Mrs. Fairfield. 
 
 "I ain't afeerd of nothin of that sort," said Na 
 than. " He's a bad boy. Why, he fit me like a 
 tiger to-day." 
 
 " All this is none of my business ; but I give it to 
 you as my advice that you had better not meddle 
 with him. If he earns any money, let him have it." 
 
 "Let him keep the twenty-one dollars?" 
 
 "Yes; and see what he does with it. If he uses 
 it well, let him have what he earns." 
 
 "Ruel Belcher, you don't understand that boy!" 
 said Nathan, impressively. " I tell you he's a bad 
 boy, and he's goin to ruin as fast as he can go." 
 
 "Let him alone, and then we shall see. If he 
 spends his earnings foolishly, it will be time enough 
 to stop him then." 
 
 " He'll fool away every cent of that money." 
 6*
 
 66 THE STABBY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Wait and see. I think I'm about tired enough 
 to go to bed now," added Ruel, rising from his 
 chair. "I've got considerable money about me, you 
 know; do you think it will be safe?" 
 
 " I s'pose it will be. There's nobody here to steal 
 it, unless Levi does; and I'm afeerd he ain't none 
 too good to do sich a thing." 
 
 " O, Levi is honest ! " replied Ruel. 
 
 "I hope he is," added uncle Nathan. 
 
 Ruel Belcher took a lamp and went up to the 
 little, low, dingy chamber, which had served before 
 Levi's advent into the family as a " spare room," 
 though, since it had been devoted to the use of the 
 ward, most of the furniture had been removed, or 
 exchanged for meaner articles from other parts of the 
 house. 
 
 " Asleep, Levi ? " asked the guest, as he entered 
 the room. 
 
 "No, sir, not yet." 
 
 "Well, I've been talking over your affairs with 
 your uncle, and I hope you will have less reason to 
 complain," added Ruel he hoped so, perhaps, but 
 he hardly believed it would be so.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 67 
 
 "I am much obliged to you, I'm sure," answered 
 Levi. " I only want what is fair and right. I'm 
 willing to work for my board, thongh uncle Nathan 
 has an allowance of three dollars a week for my 
 support." 
 
 " I know he does : be peaceable, Levi, if you can." 
 "I will; I don't want to have any trouble." 
 "I've got considerable money about me, Levi; do 
 you think it will be safe ? " continued Ruel, changing 
 the subject. 
 
 "I don't know who could take it here." 
 " I guess it will be all right. I'll put it under my 
 pillow." 
 
 Ruel deposited his wallet in the place indicated, 
 and got into bed. He was tired, and in a short 
 time both he and Levi were sound asleep. Half an 
 hour later uncle Nathan entered the room in his 
 stocking-feet, and after fumbling over the garments 
 of both the sleepers for some time, he retired as 
 noiselessly as he had entered. 
 
 What other events transpired in that chamber 
 before the dawn of the day were known to no 
 one in the house.
 
 68 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 At four o'clock Levi got up, dressed himself i:i 
 his best clothes, and left the room without waking 
 Ruel Belcher. 
 
 When the guest rose, two hours later, his two 
 hundred and fifty dollars was gone!
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 69 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WHO STOLE THE WALLET? 
 
 IT was six o'clock when Ruel Belcher rose from 
 his bed, and wondered how he could have slept 
 so long; but he concluded that the fatigue and ex 
 citement of collecting a bad debt were the cause, 
 and as he was dressing he congratulated himself 
 upon his good fortune in obtaining his money ; and 
 considering the character and antecedents of Dock, 
 he had abundant reasons for doing so. Ruel was a 
 hard-working carpenter, and by no means a rich 
 man. The two hundred and fifty dollars, therefore, 
 was a large sum of money to him ; and as he had 
 had no expectation of collecting it, he was peculiarly 
 happy in its possession. 
 
 As he put on his clothes, he could not help think 
 ing what a pleasure it would be to tell his wife that 
 he had the money in his pocket ; and as the thought
 
 70 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 passed through his mind, he went to the bed and 
 raised the pillow under which he had placed his 
 wallet. 
 
 It was not there. 
 
 Ruel was alarmed. He pulled out the pillows and 
 bolster, shook the bedclothes, turned the mattress, 
 and searched in every place he could think of for 
 the lost treasure. It was certainly gone. Ruel was 
 in despair. What a story this would be to tell his 
 wife ! He felt cheap and mean to think he had 
 been " smart " enough to collect the money, and had 
 then lost it. He finished dressing himself, and then 
 made another thorough search for the wallet, but 
 with no better success than before. 
 
 He went down stairs, and announced his loss to 
 his sister. She was quite sure it must be somewhere 
 in the room, and she went up and searched for it. 
 Then Mr. Fairfield came in, and, being informed of 
 the loss, he went up and searched for it ; but the 
 wallet was not to be found. 
 
 " I can't think what's become on't," said Mrs. Fair- 
 field, greatly perplexed. 
 
 "Nor I either," replied Ruel. "I was dreaming
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 71 
 
 of that money last night, now I think of it. It 
 seemed to me I got scared about it. I had an idea 
 some one was coming into the room to take it away 
 from me." 
 
 "Perhaps you wasn't asleep," suggested Mrs. Fair- 
 field, glancing at her husband. 
 
 " O, I slept like a rock. I didn't know a thing 
 from the time I went to sleep till six o'clock this 
 morning," added Ruel. 
 
 " Perhaps you kinder half waked up when Nathan 
 went into your room," continued the matron. 
 
 "Did he come into the room?" 
 
 "Yes, I went in about 'leven o'clock," added Mr. 
 Fail-field. 
 
 Well, I didn't hear you." 
 
 "Perhaps you sort o' waked, and, seem' Nathan, 
 thought you dreamed it," explained Mrs. Fairfield. 
 
 " It may have been so, but I don't think it was. 
 What did you come into the room for, Nathan ? " 
 asked Ruel. 
 
 " I hope you don't think I took your money ! * 
 exclaimed Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 " Of course I don't think anything of that sort."
 
 72 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 Rucl did not believe his brother-in-law had robbed 
 him, though he could not help thinking that such a 
 thing was possible with a man who loved money as 
 Nathan did. 
 
 "I'll tell you how it was, Ruel," continued Mr. 
 Fairfield, not a little embarrassed by the circum 
 stances which appeared to conspire against him. " As 
 Levi's guardeen, I think twenty-one dollars is too 
 much for him to have." 
 
 " So do I," interposed Mrs. Fairfield, willing to 
 justify her husband. " It's a shame for him to 
 behave as he does. He knows more'n his uncle 
 now, and if sunthin ain't done, the boy'll go to 
 ruin right off." 
 
 " I didn't mean Lcvi should fool away that money, 
 no how ; and I went up stairs for it, after he had 
 gone to sleep. That's the long and short of the 
 whole matter." 
 
 "That's the truth, you may depend upon't," added 
 his sympathizing spouse. 
 
 "Did you get the money?" asked Ruel, curiously 
 
 "No, I didn't." 
 
 " I suppose not."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 73 
 
 " I sarched all his pockets, but I couldn't find 
 nothin on't." 
 
 " Levi isn't a fool," added Ruel. 
 
 " What do you mean by that ? " demanded Nathan. 
 
 " After you tried to take his money away from him 
 by force, he wouldn't be likely to bring it into the 
 house again. But that's neither here nor there : my 
 money's gone, if Levi's isn't, and I'd like to know 
 what has become of it." 
 
 "So should I," said Mr. Fail-field. 
 
 " I can't think what has become on't," added Mrs. 
 Fairfield. " Nobody couldn't git into the house to 
 steal it. The doors were all bolted this mornin just 
 as I left 'em last night, and none of the winders has 
 been teched. I can't see through it at all." 
 
 " Nor I nuther," said Mr. Fail-field. " Two hundred 
 and fifty dollars is a sight of money to lose." 
 
 "Where's Levi?" asked Ruel. _ "Perhaps he will 
 know something about it. Where is he?" 
 
 " I don't know. I hain't seen the boy sence I got 
 up. I s'pose he's gone off after dog-fish," replied 
 Mrs. Fairfield. 
 
 "I hain't seen him nuther," added her husband. 
 7
 
 74 THE STAKKY FLAG, OR 
 
 " I went down after sunthin to eat, and hain't been 
 about house till just now." 
 
 tlncle Nathan had actually purchased another slice 
 from the under side of the round, that morning, and 
 after the ingratitude of his brother-in-law in siding 
 with Levi, taking twenty-five cents from his pocket 
 for such a purpose was like taking out the best 
 tooth in his head. 
 
 Ruel was nervous and uneasy about his money. 
 He hoped Levi might know something about it, and 
 he went to the cove to see if he was there. Levi 
 was not there ; but the dingy dory was, which 
 proved that he had not gone after dog-fish. At 
 seven o'clock the young fisherman had not returned. 
 When Mrs. Fairfield went up stairs to make the bed, 
 she saw the old clothes of Levi hanging in the 
 closet ; and then she made the astounding discovery 
 that he had dressed himself in his Sunday suit. 
 
 " What can it mean ? " exclaimed she, after she 
 had announced the significant fact to her husband 
 and the guest. 
 
 " It means that he has gone off," replied Mr. Fair- 
 field.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 75 
 
 ' Gone off! " repeated Ruel. 
 
 '' Run away," added Nathan. 
 
 * Perhaps he is round town somewhere now." 
 
 " I guess not. What did he dress himself up for ? 
 W~hy didn't he come home to breakfast ? If he 
 dressed up for company, why don't he stay and see 
 the company ? " continued the guardian of Levi, 
 piling up his interrogatory arguments, until the poor 
 boy seemed to be crushed and condemned beneath 
 the weight of them. 
 
 There was something like triumph apparent in the 
 tones and the manner of Nathan Fail-field, as he 
 heaped up the evidence against his nephew. Ruel 
 could not think now, with all these indications of 
 JLevi's guilt, that he his brother-in-law had taken 
 Ids money. Besides, he had labored hard on the 
 preceding evening to show that Levi was a bad 
 boy ; Ruel would not believe it, and it was pleasant 
 to have his statement proved to be correct, especially 
 at the expense of the unbeliever. 
 
 " I didn't think Levi was a bad boy," said Ruel, 
 musing. " He didn't seem like one to me, and I 
 rather liked him."
 
 76 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 " I cal'late you'll believe what I say another ti 
 replied Nathan. " Levi's a bad boy; and he's been 
 goin on from bad to wus, till no one can tell what'l] 
 become on him. I s'pose you know what's come of 
 your money now." 
 
 " I hope Levi didn't take it," answered Ruel ; and 
 he really did hope so, even while it seemed to be 
 impossible to doubt the fact. 
 
 " That boy must be taken care on. 'Tain't no use 
 to let him run on any longer," added the guardian. 
 
 "What can we do?" 
 
 " We must find him first. I think we'd better 
 have him taken up, and then we can tell what's best 
 to be done," replied Nathan. 
 
 " Before we do that, we had better look round 
 town, and see if we can find him." 
 
 " lie ain't in town now, you may depend on't. 
 He's gone off." 
 
 Ruel was not so positive, and an hour was spent 
 in searching the vicinity for the fugitive. He was 
 not to be found, and by nine o'clock a warrant for 
 the arrest of Levi, on the charge of robbing his bed 
 fellow of two hundred and fifty dollars, was taken
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 77 
 
 'jiit, and placed in the hands of an officer, who imme 
 diately went to Gloucester in search of the alleged 
 robber. 
 
 Nathan Fairfield groaned in spirit on that day, for 
 Ruel Belcher appeared to be quartered upon him for 
 several days ; and what pounds of the under side of 
 the round he would consume ! What quantities of 
 hot biscuit he would devour ! What ounces of cheap 
 tea he would pour down ! What spoonfuls of brown 
 sugar he would use ! It was really appalling, and 
 not even the satisfaction of proving that Levi was a 
 rascal could compensate for such an inroad .upon his 
 domestic economy. Leaving him to groan in anguish 
 over his visitor's terrific appetite, we will return to 
 the unfortunate youth, over whom the clouds of 
 wrath were gathering thick and black. 
 
 Levi got up at daylight, and dressed himself in 
 his best clothes, for the visit to Gloucester. He 
 hoped that the influence of Ruel Belcher would 
 have some effect upon his lot ; that his uncle would 
 permit him to have and to enjoy his extra earnings 
 in peace. He felt grateful to the guest for the 
 interest he had manifested in him, and if he 
 
 7*
 
 78 THE STARKY FLAG, OR 
 
 dared to do so, he would have told him all about 
 the money he had concealed in the rocks, and all 
 about his plan to buy The Starry Flag. 
 
 Levi dressed himself very carefully, so as not to 
 disturb the visitor. He did not like to go away and 
 leave him, for Ruel had seemed like a friend ; but 
 The Starry Flag might be sold if there was any 
 delay. Besides, he hoped to return before the guest 
 departed, and thus secure his influence in reconciling 
 his guardian to the new boat. With a light step 
 he descended the stairs, and left the house, passing 
 out through the cellar door, which fastened with a 
 wooden spring ; for, when Ruel had so much money 
 about him, he did not think it was safe to leave the 
 back door unbolted. 
 
 The thought of the guest's money made him 
 inquire whether his own was safe. He had left it 
 out doors, because it would be more secure than 
 under the same roof with his guardian ; but he had 
 some doubts. Dock Vincent might have watched 
 him when he concealed the wallet. His heart rose 
 up into his throat at the very thought ; but he 
 hastened down to the cove. The cache he had
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 79 
 
 made had not been disturbed, and after removing 
 the stones he had heaped upon it, he took the wallet 
 from the crevice in the rock. It was all right, and 
 his heart leaped with exultant joy. 
 
 With a light step he walked through the village, 
 and took the road to Gloucester. As he trudged 
 along, bright visions lighted up his vivid imagination, 
 and he pictured to himself the pleasure he should 
 derive from sailing The Starry Flag. If his uncle 
 did not treat him well, or would not allow him to 
 enjoy his own earnings, he could even live on board 
 the boat; for there was a cuddy large enough for 
 him to sleep in. 
 
 There would be an " awful tempest," when uncle 
 Nathan found he had bought the boat ; but Levi 
 was prepared for the worst. He was determined 
 not to be " ground down " any longer. If his guar 
 dian would not make a man of him, he would make 
 a man of himself. 
 
 Thus dreaming of the future, and thus preparing 
 his mind for the wrath of his guardian, he entered 
 Gloucester, and soon found the wharf where The 
 Starry Flag lay.
 
 80 THE STARRY FLAG, OH 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 OFF EASTERN POINT. 
 
 IT was half past five in the morning when Levi 
 Fairfield reached the wharf in Gloucester, all un 
 suspicious of the mischief which his unexplained 
 departure from home was to occasion. The Starry 
 Flag lay in the water near the shop of her benev 
 olent builder, who had not yet come to his daily 
 work. As nothing could be done to forward the 
 business, Lcvi devoted himself to an examination of 
 the beautiful craft. Hauling in the painter, he went 
 on board, and carefully scrutinized every part of her. 
 The Starry Flag was twenty-one feet long, sloop 
 rigged, and had a cuddy forward, which contained 
 two berths. She was built in the most substantial 
 manner, and had already proved herself to be a stiff' 
 and stanch sea-boat. She worked admirably in a 
 heavy sea, and it was even said that she could be
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 81 
 
 worked to windward under her jib alone. It is true 
 she was not what would be called a "fancy yacht;" 
 she had no mahogany panels, no elaborate brass 
 work, no gilded figure-head. She was plain and 
 neat, with little or no "gingerbread work" about 
 her. It was her fine model, and her graceful sitting 
 upon the water, that made her a beautiful craft. 
 
 Levi glowed with enthusiasm as he surveyed the 
 boat as he examined the construction and arrange^ 
 ment of everything about her. He crawled into the 
 cuddy, which was just high enough to permit him 
 to sit down on the berth, though, for the size of the 
 craft, it was quite a roomy apartment, and large 
 enough to accommodate himself and one other very 
 comfortably. It was not furnished, and while the 
 prospective owner of The Starry Flag was debating 
 
 
 
 with himself whether he should spend his twenty-one 
 dollars in the purchase of a couple of mattresses, or 
 in procuring a suit of clothes, he heard a step upon 
 the wharf. 
 
 " What are you doing in that boat ? " demanded 
 the owner. 
 
 "I was only looking at her," replied Levi.
 
 82 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " We don't allow folks on board of her, unless 
 they want to buy her." 
 
 "That's just my case," added Levi, as he stepped 
 upon the wharf. 
 
 " I reckon you don't exactly know what you are 
 talking about," said Mr. Hatch, the builder, as he 
 measured the boy from head to foot with his eye. 
 
 "I reckon I do, Mr. Hatch. I came over from 
 Rockport on purpose to buy her, if you will let me 
 have her for what's about right." 
 
 "You?" 
 
 " I'm your man, Mr. Hatch. I know you, if you 
 don't know me. If you want to sell this boat for a 
 fair price, I want to buy her." 
 
 " I rather think she will cost too much for you. 
 She's a nice boat." 
 
 " I know she is ; and that's the reason I want to 
 buy her. I shouldn't want her if she wasn't a nice 
 boat. What do you ask for her?" 
 
 " Two hundred and fifty ; and she's as cheap as 
 dirt at that." 
 
 "Won't you take two hundred for her?" 
 
 "I won't take a cent less than I said, for you ee
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE AWN. 83 
 
 the 'money 's for the new church over in your 
 town." 
 
 Levi offered two hundred and twenty-five ; but 
 Mr. Hatch thought it would be cheating " the treas 
 ury of the Lord" to take anything less than the 
 price, and he was inflexible. 
 
 "Til take her, sir," said Levi, when he had exer 
 cised all his Yankee shrewdness in trying to make 
 a good bargain. 
 
 "It seems to me you are pretty young to buy a 
 boat like this," said the builder, good-naturedly. 
 
 "Perhaps I am; but I've got the money, and I 
 suppose that is all you want," answered Levi. 
 
 "Well, no; that isn't all I want. Boys like you 
 don't very often have two hundred and fifty dollars 
 to spend for a boat, and I want to know that it's 
 all right before I let her go. What's your name?" 
 
 "Levi Fairfield." 
 
 "You are not Captain Fail-field's boy are you?" 
 
 "Yes, sir; I live at Rockport with my uncle Na 
 than." 
 
 "Yes, I know you do; and I don't know as that 
 helps the matter much," added Mr. Hatch, with a
 
 84 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 significant chuckle. "Nathan Fail-field's your guar 
 dian and I suppose it would be just about as easy to 
 jump over the moon as it would be for him to give 
 you money enough to buy this boat." 
 
 "He didn't give it to me." 
 
 "I supposed not," laughed the boat-builder. 
 " Where did you get the money ? " 
 
 Levi explained where he got it. 
 
 "I guess it's all right, Levi," added Mr. Hatch. 
 "Mr. Ames, the minister, was over here yesterday 
 afternoon, and told me a boy saved a girl from 
 drowning; but I had no idea you were the young 
 fellow." 
 
 "Mr. Watson let me have the money on purpose 
 to buy this boat, and you may depend upon it, the 
 matter is all straight." 
 
 " Then the boat is yours. Come into the shop 
 \vith me, and I Avill make out a bill of sale of her." 
 
 The bill was made out, and Levi paid over the 
 two hundred and fifty dollars, with the feeling that 
 The Starry Flag was dog-cheap at that price. Mr. 
 Hatch was much pleased with the purchaser, and 
 vhen the trade was completed, he invited him to
 
 THE YOUXG FISHERMAN OF CAPE AXN. 85 
 
 take breakfast with him. Levi accepted the invita 
 tion, and finding a much better table than that to 
 which he was accustomed at the house of his guar 
 dian, he did ample justice to the generous fare of his 
 host. 
 
 Though the stores were now open in the town, 
 Levi, anxious to reach Rockport before the depart 
 ure of Ruel Belcher, concluded to defer the purchase 
 of his clothes till another day. Full of joy and 
 exultation, he embarked in the boat, which he 
 could now call his own, cast off the painter, 
 pushed off, and with the best wishes of Mr. Hatch, 
 started on his voyage round the cape. The tide was 
 going out, but there was hardly a breath of wind to 
 swell the sails he spread. Unless he found a breeze 
 outside of the harbor, he could hardly expect to 
 reach Rockport before afternoon; but he hoped for 
 the best. With a fresh wind the boat would make 
 the distance in a couple of hours. 
 
 When two hours had elapsed, The Starry Flag 
 
 had hardly reached Norman Woe Reef, which lies at 
 
 the entrance of Gloucester Harbor. As there was 
 
 now no possibility of getting home before the depart- 
 
 8
 
 86 THE STAKKY FLAG, OR 
 
 ure of Ruel, the young fisherman gave up the hope 
 of doing so, and began to consider how he should 
 conduct his defence before his guardian. Ahead of 
 him lay a small schooner, which he recognized as the 
 
 Griffin, Dock Vincent's vessel. She had probably 
 / 
 
 been becalmed during the night, and could not get 
 up the bay against the tide. 
 
 Levi did not care to meet Dock just then, espe 
 cially after the assistance he had rendered Ruel in 
 collecting his debt. He wanted to sheer off, and 
 avoid him ; but there was not a particle of wind, and 
 the boat was drifting helplessly with the tide, which 
 bore him directly alongside of the Griffin. 
 
 "Hallo, Levi! What are you doing here?" de 
 manded Dock, from the deck of his vessel. 
 
 "Going home." 
 
 "Is that The Starry Flag?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "What are you doing with her?" 
 
 "I've bought her, and she's mine now," replied 
 Levi, with a feeling of pride and satisfaction. 
 
 "Have you, though?" 
 
 "Just bought her, and paid for her."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 87 
 
 "Come aboard will you? I want to talk with 
 you," added Dock. 
 
 "I can't stop now; I want to get home." 
 
 "You might as well stop where you are till a 
 breeze of wind comes. When you get outside of 
 Eastern Pint, the tide will set you back." 
 
 Le1*i knew this to be true, and he hauled up along 
 side the Griffin. Dock did not manifest any resent 
 ment towards him on account of the debt, and Levi 
 wished to inform nim what Mr. Watson had done, 
 in order to free the rich merchant from the imputa 
 tion of meanness which Dock cast upon him. 
 
 "So you've bought The Starry Flag have you?" 
 continued Dock, when Levi stepped upon the deck 
 
 ^i 
 
 of the Griffin. 
 
 "I have gave two hundred and fifty dollars for 
 her. I promised to tell you to-day what Mr. Wat 
 son did for me." 
 
 "He gave you two hundred and fifty dollars 
 did he?" 
 
 "He offered to give it to me, but I didn't like to 
 take it for picking up a drowning girl ; so I borrowed 
 it of him."
 
 88 THE STAKUY tfLAG, OB 
 
 "Borrowed it! I say, Levi, you are a fool!" 
 sneered Dock. "That man ought to have given 
 you a thousand dollars at the very least; and you 
 were a fool to let him off for anything less than 
 that." 
 
 "If I am satisfied with what he has done, I don't 
 think anybody else has a right to complain," replied 
 Levi, with considerable spirit. 
 
 For an hour, Dock labored to convince the young 
 fisherman that he had been grievously wronged and 
 cheated by the wealthy merchant from Boston; but 
 Levi, happy in the possession of The Starry Flag, 
 refused to be convinced. Mr. Watson had done "the 
 handsome thing," in his opinion, and so far from feel 
 ing any dissatisfaction, he was deeply grateful to 
 him. 
 
 "If you don't know your rights, Levi, I'm not 
 going to teach you," continued Pock. "According 
 to your own story, Watson didn't give you anything. 
 He paid you ten dollars for the fish you lost, and 
 lent you two hundred and fifty dollars." 
 
 "I don't suppose he expects me to pay him back 
 Ivhat I borrowed, but I mean to do so," added Levi,
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 89 
 
 "Then Watson didn't give you anything?" 
 
 "No, but " 
 
 "That's all I want to know. Now, Levi, I've got 
 a bone to pick with you." 
 
 "What's that?" 
 
 "You served me a mean trick yesterday." 
 
 "I didn't serve you any mean trick," protested 
 Levi. 
 
 ' Yes, you did ; you helped Belcher get that money 
 out of me." 
 
 "You owed it to him didn't you?" 
 
 " That's none of your business ; I don't like to pay 
 money till I get ready. I know just where I can 
 trip you up, Levi, and I'm going to do it. I used 
 to think you was a friend of mine, and would be 
 willing to do me a good turn if you got a chance." 
 
 " Without claiming to be your friend, I'm willing 
 to do you a good turn now," replied Levi. 
 
 "You are not; if you had told me Belcher was 
 looking for me, I could have kept my vessel out of 
 his way. You didn't do it; you helped Belcher, 
 instead of me. I don't find no fault, Levi; you 
 have chosen for yourself. If you don't want any- 
 8*
 
 90 THE STAKBY FLAG, OK 
 
 thing of me, I don't want anything of you. I'm 
 your enemy now." 
 
 "If you are, I can't help it." 
 
 "You'll get tripped up." 
 
 "If I am, I will pick myself up," said Leyi, as 
 lightly as he could; but he did not like to have 
 such a man as Dock for an enemy. 
 
 " If you have a mind to join me in a little plan 
 of mine that won't hurt nobody, I will " 
 
 "I won't join you in any plan," interposed Levi, 
 who, being honest, felt that he could afford to be 
 independent. 
 
 "Just as you like, Levi; but look out for break 
 ers!" said Dock, with a threatening shake of his 
 head. 
 
 "There's a breeze coming, and I guess I'll be off," 
 added Levi, as he jumped into his boat. 
 
 "Just remember what I've said to you; and when 
 you want to see me, I'm round," said Dock. 
 
 The Starry Flag caught the first breath of the 
 coming wind, and went off towards Eastern Point. 
 Levi was annoyed by the threats of Dock, but he 
 was resolved to be honest and true, come what
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 91 
 
 might come. The boat worked well, and as she 
 was rounding the Point, Levi was rather pleased to 
 see a schooner boat making towards him, for it gave 
 him the promise of a race. 
 
 That schooner boat contained the constable, with 
 a warrant in his pocket for the arrest of Levi
 
 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 CHAPTER VHI. 
 
 THE TEMPEST AND THE WRECK. 
 
 LEVI F AIRFIELD had no suspicion of the 
 tempest that was brewing over him at home, 
 and of which the constable in the schooner boat 
 was the forerunner ; but he was weatherwise enough 
 to see that a literal storm was gathering in the 
 west, which might try the nerves of The Starry 
 Flag, if it did not those of her bold-hearted skipper. 
 The wind was now blowing a gentle breeze from 
 the eastward, but vast volumes of dense black clouds 
 were piling up in the opposite quarter. They were 
 squally-looking clouds, and even a less experienced 
 salt than the young fisherman might have known 
 that there was wind in them. 
 
 There was no present danger, and Levi, deter 
 mined to " keep his weather-eye open tight," watched 
 with deep interest the movement of the schooner
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 93 
 
 boat, which, by getting the breeze sooner than the 
 Flag, had approached within a quarter of a mile. 
 She was evidently following him, and he could con 
 ceive of no other purpose on the part of her skipper 
 than that of " trying a race " with him. 
 
 Levi had a great deal of confidence in the sailing 
 qualities of his boat ; and after holding on his course 
 to the northward for a time, he had the intense 
 satisfaction of finding that the other boat did not 
 gain upon him. But the race was not so exciting, 
 at that distance, as it would be with the boats 
 abreast of each other; and he put his helm down, 
 throwing the Flag up into the wind for the purpose 
 of waiting for his rival to come up. 
 
 The schooner boat bore down upon him, and in a 
 few moments was within hailing distance, the boat 
 man prudently keeping her well to windward, for he 
 seemed to comprehend the fact that the Flag was 
 the faster craft of the two. When she was fairly 
 abreast -of him, Levi filled away again, and began to 
 be quite excited as the race opened. 
 
 " Levi ! " shouted the constable in the schooner 
 boat, when he saw that the chase was off again.
 
 94 THE STAEKY FLAG, OB 
 
 " Schooner ahoy ! " shouted Levi, in reply. 
 
 "Levi!" repeated the officer. 
 
 " Hallo ! " replied Levi, now recognizing Mr. Gayles, 
 the constable, but without the remotest idea that the 
 officer was after him in his official capacity. 
 
 " I want to see you," added Mr. GayJes. 
 
 "Want to race don't you?" 
 
 "I'm after you." 
 
 "All right," answered Levi, who interpreted this 
 remark to mean that he wished to catch him, nau- 
 tically speaking. " Come along ! I'm all ready for 
 you." 
 
 The Flag gathered headway, and began to run 
 away from the schooner boat at a rate which proba 
 bly astonished the skipper of the latter as much as 
 it delighted the skipper of the former. 
 
 " Hold on, Levi ! " cried the constable. 
 
 " Can't stop," replied the young fisherman, so ex 
 hilarated by the race that he could think of nothing 
 else. 
 
 If he had been guilty of any crime, he might have 
 thought that the constable was after him. He knew 
 Mr. Gayles very well; indeed, he was the map who
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 95 
 
 bought the dog-fish livers of him, and he was anxious 
 to prove to him that The Starry Flag was "the 
 fastest boat out." He certainly established the fact 
 that she could outsail the schooner boat, for in half 
 an hour she was a quarter of a mile ahead of her 
 rival, and the parties were no longer within speaking 
 distance of each other. While they were in these 
 relative positions, the wind suddenly died out, and 
 the sails of both napped loosely from the gaffs. 
 
 The black and angry clouds were travelling rapidly 
 up to the zenith. The morning had been intensely 
 warm, and the air was " close " and oppressive. It 
 was one of those days which seem to invite a tumult 
 in the elements ; one of those days which wind up 
 with a squall, a hurricane, or an earthquake. Both 
 the schooner and the sloop now lay helpless upon 
 the water, rising and falling on the long rollers which 
 throbbed and throbbed with glassy surfaces till they 
 were dashed to pieces on the rocky coast. 
 
 The calm was the prelude of a storm. The light 
 nings glared upon the darkened waters, and the 
 heavy thunders roared and rattled. The sun was 
 shut in by the inky clouds, and it looked like coming
 
 96 THE STARRY FLAG, OE 
 
 night upon the ocean. All was still and quiet in 
 the boats, except the swaying of the sails, as the 
 little craft rolled on the glassy billow's. 
 
 Levi ceased to regard the schooner boat as a 
 rival, and now gazed earnestly to the westward, from 
 which the shower was coming up. He improved 
 these idle moments in lowering and stowing his jib, 
 for he was almost sure of a heavy squall. Glancing 
 at the other boat, he saw that she had taken in her 
 jib and mainsail, and that the two men in her were 
 rowing towards him. He then examined his mainsail 
 halyards to make sure they were not foul, so that 
 he could pull down the sail in an instant, if neces 
 sary. 
 
 While he was thus engaged, a dull, heavy roar 
 from shoreward attracted his attention. It increased 
 in volume, and seemed to travel like the lightning. 
 Levi needed no second warning, but, casting off the 
 halyards, hauled down the sail as rapidly as though 
 his life depended upon the celerity of his move 
 ments ; and, indeed, it did. 
 
 The squall came down upon the boats with appall 
 ing speed and violence, and Levi had only time to
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 97 
 
 adjust a couple of the " stops " on his mainsail before 
 it struck the Flag, and she careened under the blast 
 till the young fisherman began to fear that she 
 would go over, even with no sail upon her. It was 
 by far the heaviest squall he had ever seen, amount 
 ing almost to a tornado. Levi saw that the heeling 
 over of the boat was caused by a portion of the sail 
 taking the wind. It was impossible to stand tip, so 
 savage was the tempest; but he succeeded in loosen 
 ing the topping lift, and bringing the boom down so 
 that he could secure the truant canvas. 
 
 The squall continued for several minutes, they 
 seemed like hours to the young boatman, and 
 terrific were the roaring and howling of the blast, 
 the crash of the thunder, and the blinding glare of 
 the lightning. It was awful, even to one accustomed 
 to the sea when the elements rage in their wildest 
 fury. It was one of those moments when nothing 
 human seems to be abiding, and man leans upon 
 the arm of God, who manifests His power and His 
 majesty in the sublimity of the fierce tempest. 
 
 The squall was over in two or three minutes, but 
 the Storm King appeared not to be satisfied with 
 9
 
 98 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 the tumult he had created ; and though the terrific 
 blast subsided, the wind still blew a gale from the 
 westward, as though there were still empty chambers 
 to be filled by the cooling currents. As the tempest 
 of winds subsided, the rain began to pour down in 
 torrents, and Levi's Sunday suit was soon drenched. 
 He had closed up his cuddy to keep it dry ; but he 
 dared not take shelter within, lest the boat should 
 come to harm for the want of a lookout. 
 
 "Help! help!" 
 
 The cry came to him through the thick mists 
 formed by the rain near the surface of the water. 
 He was thinking whether the schooner boat had 
 weathered the squall, when these appalling sounds 
 came to him above the howling of the gale. By 
 this time the sea had been lashed into fury, and the 
 waves were covered with white caps and flying 
 spray. 
 
 " Help ! help ! " came the wail again through the 
 blast and the rain. 
 
 It might have been repeated twenty times, for 
 until a moment before, the voice, if it had been 
 that of a Stentor, could not have been heard above
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 09 
 
 the roar of the storm. The Flag was now leaping 
 and pitching in the angry sea, occasionally dipping 
 in the water over her wash-board, while the spray 
 dashed furiously upon her half deck. 
 
 A cry of distress touches the sailor's heart, and 
 Levi had enough of the spirit of the true seaman 
 to be deeply moved by the summons; but the tem 
 pest was still fearful, and it was little better than 
 madness for him to hoist his mainsail. 
 
 " Help ! help ! " again came the tones of the suf 
 ferers through the storm ; and this time it sounded 
 like a voice from a sepulchre. 
 
 Levi could not resist the appeal, for he felt that 
 it would be better to die in a noble and manly 
 effort to save his fellow-beings in distress, than to 
 lie idly by, counting up the perils of the attempt. 
 Taking off the stops, he hastily put two reefs in his 
 mainsail, though the work was not accomplished 
 until the hailing cry had been several times re 
 peated. With much doubt and anxiety he hoisted 
 the sail. 
 
 The wind came in furious blasts, and the mainsail 
 beat and threshed as though it were part of the
 
 100 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 storm. The halyards, carefully secured, and the ends 
 coiled down so that they would not foul if it were 
 again necessary suddenly to reduce sail, he dodged 
 the swaying boom, and reached the helm. Hauling 
 in the main sheet, the wind filled the sail, heeling 
 the boat over till the water rushed in over the lee 
 side. The intrepid young skipper " eased her off" a 
 little, and she righted ; and then she darted off, leap 
 ing over the wild waves as if in utter contempt of 
 their impotent fury. 
 
 Levi now had the Flag under perfect control, and 
 she flew towards the wreck from which proceeded 
 the drowning cry of the two men. When the blast 
 came too fresh, he eased off the sheet, giving the 
 sail no more wind than it could safely carry. The 
 boat behaved admirably, lifting herself on the bil 
 lows, instead of plunging her nose down into them. 
 
 Levi strained his eyes to catch a glimpse, through 
 the dense mists, of the men who needed his assist 
 ance ; but he was quite near when he obtained his 
 first view of them. The schooner boat had been 
 upset, with her foresail still set. She was full of 
 water, though she had partially righted; and not
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 101 
 
 being heavily ballasted, she did not go down. The 
 foresail was flapping madly in the gale, and the two 
 men were clinging to the wreck for their lives. 
 
 Levi rounded to under the stern of the disabled 
 boat, and her skipper, seizing the bowsprit, leaped 
 on board the Flag. 
 
 " Save me ! save me ! " cried the constable, in 
 mortal terror, as he saw the Flag fall off, and drift 
 out of his reach. 
 
 " I'll save you, Mr. Gayles. Hold on tight for a 
 moment longer ! " shouted Levi ; and, hauling in his 
 main sheet, he brought the Flag up again until the 
 bowsprit was within the officer's reach. 
 
 " God bless you, Levi Fail-field ! " exclaimed Mr. 
 Gayles, as he crawled in over the bow, and made 
 his way to the standing-room. " You have saved 
 my life." 
 
 " I always pick up anything I find adrift," replied 
 Levi, coolly. 
 
 9*
 
 102 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 AFTER THE SQUALL. 
 
 THAT was a pretty tough one wasn't it ? " 
 said the skipper of the schooner boat, referring 
 to the squall. 
 
 " It was the hardest blow I was ever out in," 
 replied Levi. " I don't know that I should want to 
 try that over again." 
 
 " I shouldn't, either ; it knocked my boat over 
 quicker 'n a flash of lightning ; I was rowing, and 
 didn't mind much about it till it struck us. But it's 
 beginning to moderate." 
 
 " It will be good weather pretty soon now ; I 
 think I can carry my sail with two reefs, and I shall 
 stand on." 
 
 " I suppose you are bound to Rockport," continued 
 the skipper, glancing at the constable. 
 
 " That's where I'm going ; I suppose you are going 
 there too," added Levi.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 103 
 
 " Well, no ; I don't know as I need to go there 
 uow. I want to save ,rny boat, if you ain't in no 
 hurry. I can't afford to lose her." 
 
 " I'll help you, if you like." 
 
 " Thank you. Mr. Gayles was after you " 
 
 "Never mind that now," interposed the constable, 
 who, drenched to the skin, and chilled through, sat 
 on the weather side of the boat, shivering like a 
 man with the ague. 
 
 " After me ! " exclaimed Levi, with some astonish 
 ment. 
 
 "I wanted to see you," explained Mr. Gayles; 
 "but it's no matter now." 
 
 Levi did not understand what the constable could 
 wish to see him for ; but the management of the 
 boat required all his attention, and he could not 
 press the question. He kept the Flag " off and on " 
 for a short time, till the wind had subsided enough 
 to allow the skipper to board his water-logged craft. 
 The black clouds blew over almost as rapidly as 
 they had come up, and though the sea was still 
 angry, it was not violent. 
 
 The Flag was run up to the wreck ; Levi and the
 
 104 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 skipper jumped aboard, while Mr. Gayles was in 
 structed to stand by with the boat-hook and keep 
 the boats from jamming each other in the sea. The 
 work of baling out the schooner boat commenced 
 with a bucket and a two-quart dipper belonging to 
 the Flag. It was a two hours' job, but the exercise 
 was very agreeable in the chilled state of the woik- 
 men. As the operation proceeded, the schooner rose 
 in the water, and the skipper was the most grateful 
 of men when he realized that both his boat and his 
 life were preserved. 
 
 " Levi, if you want to get away from him, I'll 
 manage it for you," said the skipper, in a low tone, 
 when the water in the boat had fallen below the 
 thwarts. 
 
 " Get away from him ! What do you mean ? " 
 asked Levi, so astonished that he suspended his 
 work. 
 
 "Why, don't you know?" 
 
 "I'm sure I don't." 
 
 " They gay you stole the money to buy your 
 boat." 
 
 " Stole it ! " gasped Levi ; " I'm sure I didn't."
 
 , " ",.'';.':..,;
 
 THE YOUNG FISIIEKMAN OF CAPE ANN. 10ft 
 
 "I don't know anything about it, but if you want 
 to get rid of the constable, I'll help you do it. 
 Hush! don't say a word, or he'll hear us." 
 
 " I didn't steal the money, and I don't want to 
 get away from him. Then you were after me ? 1 
 thought you only wanted to race." 
 
 "Well, I thought I could beat The Starry Flag." 
 
 " I stole the money ! " repeated Levi, who under 
 this startling accusation had lost his interest in 
 racing. 
 
 " I hope it ain't true, Levi," added the sympa 
 thizing skipper. 
 
 "It is not." 
 
 " I'll get Gayles into this boat as soon as we have 
 baled her out, and then you may go where you like." 
 
 " I shall face the music ; I didn't steal the money, 
 and I'm not afraid of any of them." 
 
 "That's right! I like your spunk." 
 
 " I'll take Mr. Gayles round to Rockport in my 
 boat. I should like to see the man that says I stole 
 the money." 
 
 " I don't know nothing about it, only what the 
 constable says. He's got a warrant for you."
 
 106 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Has he? I don't understand it." 
 
 Levi was so excited and indignant that he could 
 not work any longer. The wind had subsided to a 
 gentle breeze, the dark clouds had rolled away, and 
 the sun was struggling out from the black mantle 
 which had concealed it. The skipper volunteered to 
 complete the work of baling out the boat himself, 
 and to release the Flag from further attendance, so 
 that she could proceed on her way round the cape. 
 
 " Who says I stole that money, Mr. Gayles ? " 
 demanded Levi, as he returned to the Flag. 
 
 " You mustn't blame me, Levi, for I hadn't any 
 thing to do with it. I'm very thankful to you for 
 saving me, and I don't like " 
 
 "But who says I stole the money?" repeated 
 Levi, indignantly. 
 
 "Your uncle and Ruel Belcher both say so." 
 
 "Well, I didn't." 
 
 "I don't believe you did, Levi." 
 
 "I know I didn't." 
 
 " I'll tell you all about it as we go along. Do 
 you think it is safe to go round in this boat?" 
 asked the constable, as he glanced at the retreating
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 107 
 
 Clouds, from which the thunder still boomed in the 
 distance. 
 
 " Safe enough," replied Levi, commencing mechani 
 cally to shake out the reefs in his mainsail. 
 
 The Flag had taken in considerable water during 
 the squall and the blow that followed it, which Levi 
 fcaled out, and then with his sponge wiped off the 
 seats in the standing-room. The sun soon came out 
 clear, and dried the boat so that she was clean and 
 comfortable. Under all sail, the Flag stood on her 
 course round the cape. 
 
 " I don't care what any one says ; I didn't steal 
 that money," said Levi, when he had put the boat 
 in order, and seated himself at the weather side of 
 the tiller. 
 
 " I don't know anything about it myself, Levi," 
 replied Mr. Gayles, who was exceedingly embarrassed 
 by the awkwardness of his position, for it was any 
 thing but pleasant for him to arrest the young man 
 who had just saved his life. " The warrant was 
 given to me with orders to arrest you. I am almost 
 tempted to let you go now." 
 
 "I don't want you to let me go. I haven't done
 
 108 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 anything ; and I should like to see the man who 
 says I stole the money." 
 
 "I hope it will be all right when you explain 
 matters." 
 
 "Are you going to put me in jail?" asked Levi, 
 with a shudder. 
 
 " You needn't be alarmed, Levi ; I'll see that you 
 are well treated. I'm responsible for your appearance 
 before the justice, and I think you and I can arrange 
 matters." 
 
 " Uncle Nathan and Ruel Belcher say I stole the 
 money," added Levi, trying to think what possible 
 foundation there was for such a charge. 
 
 "That's what they say." 
 
 " Whose money was it that was stolen ? " 
 
 "Ruel Belcher's." 
 
 " He had two hundred and fifty dollars, and put it 
 under his pillow when he went to bed." 
 
 " And this morning it was gone," added Mr. 
 Gayles. 
 
 " Was it stolen ? " asked Levi, to whom this intel 
 ligence was all new. 
 
 "The money was gone, and so were you. It was
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 109 
 
 found that you had dressed up in your Sunday 
 clothes, and gone off without saying a word to any 
 body." 
 
 " That's true ; but I didn't take Ruel's money 
 no, I wouldn't do that. If anybody took it, it was 
 Well, I won't say that, for I don't know anything 
 about it." 
 
 He was going to mention his uncle's name. 
 
 " When it was found that you didn't come home 
 to breakfast, they were sure you had the money. 
 Your uncle stuck to it that you were bad enough to 
 do such a thing," added Mr. Gayles. 
 
 " Perhaps he thinks so ; he and I don't agree 
 very well." 
 
 " No one is much surprised at that/' said the con 
 stable, with a chilly smile. 
 
 " But I wonder what did become of Ruel's money," 
 mused Levi. 
 
 " I felt pretty sure you had it, Levi, when I got 
 over to Gloucester. I might as well tell you the 
 worst. You had just bought this boat for exactly 
 the sum Ruel had lost, as Mr. Hatch told me." 
 
 "Didn't he tell you where I got the money?" 
 10
 
 110 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 " He told me you said Mr. Watson gave it to you 
 for saving his daughter; but when I saw Dock Vin 
 cent on board his vessel, he said Mr. Watson didn't 
 give you anything ; you acknowledged that he 
 didn't." 
 
 Levi then told Mr. Gayles the simple truth in 
 regard to the whole transaction. 
 
 " Uncle Nathan tried to get my money away from 
 me yesterday, but I didn't let him know that I had 
 the two hundred and fifty dollars," he continued. " I 
 knew he wouldn't let me buy the boat if I did." 
 
 " Where is Mr. Watson now ? " asked the con 
 stable. 
 
 "He went off to Rye Beach yesterday, just as 
 soon as they came out of the water." 
 
 " We want him as a witness : he can make the 
 daylight shine through this matter in the twinkling 
 of an eye," added the officer, now fully convinced 
 that his bold deliverer was innocent of the foul 
 charge. 
 
 We must do Mr. Gayles the justice to say that 
 this conclusion was highly satisfactory to him. 
 
 Levi, confident that his innocence would be proved,
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. Ill 
 
 was very cheerful, and even laughed as he thought 
 of the confusion which awaited his uncle. 
 
 The wind was not fresh enough for a quick pas 
 sage, and it was the middle of the afternoon when 
 The Starry Flag reached the head of the little cove, 
 where the dingy dory was hauled up on the rocks. 
 The landing-place was near the house of uncle Na 
 than ; and before Levi could secure the Flag at her 
 moorings, he was seen from the windows. The host 
 and the guest hastened down to the cove. 
 
 " You've got him ! " said Nathan Fail-field, with a 
 gleam of satisfaction on his skinny face, as he glanced 
 from the officer to his nephew. 
 
 "I don't know whether I've got him, or he's got 
 me," replied Mr. Gayles, facetiously. 
 
 " Why don't you hold on to him, and put the 
 irons onto him ? " added the humane guardian. 
 
 " I shall put no irons on that boy, you may 
 depend upon it." 
 
 " He's a bad boy, and he'll get away from you, 
 as sure as you're alive," protested Mr. Fail-field, 
 "Whose boat is that?"
 
 112 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 "It belongs to Levi," replied Mr. Gayles. "He 
 went over to Gloucester this morning to buy her." 
 
 " With the money he stole ! " exclaimed the guar 
 dian. 
 
 " I don't think he stole any money." 
 
 "Don't you?" sneered Mr. Fairfield. "And you 
 say he bought that boat. What did he give for it ? " 
 
 " I gave two hundred and fifty dollars for the 
 boat ; and I didn't steal the money to do it with, 
 either," interposed Levi. 
 
 " Do you hear that, Ruel ? Now you can see 
 what that boy is ! " ejaculated the guardian. 
 
 " Where did you get the money to pay for the 
 boat?" asked Ruel. 
 
 Levi told the whole story about the two hundred 
 and fifty dollars given him, or rather loaned, for the 
 purchase of the boat. 
 
 " I don't believe a word on't ! " exclaimed uncle 
 Nathan. " Tell me ! I know better. That boy stole 
 the money from under your pillow, Ruel ! " 
 
 " I hope he tells the truth," replied Ruel. 
 
 "I know he don't," protested Mr. Fairfield. "Mr. 
 Gayles, why don't you take him up ? "
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 113 
 
 " Come, Levi, we will walk up town, if you are 
 ready," said the constable in a gentle and respectful 
 tone. 
 
 " I'm ready," replied Levi ; and he walked off with 
 Mr. Gayles, to the great indignation of his uncle, who 
 seemed to think he ought to be put in irons and 
 dragged up to the bar of justice. 
 10*
 
 114 THE STAEKY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 DOCK VINCENT'S LITTLE PLAN. 
 
 WHAT are you going to do with me, Mr. 
 Gayles?" asked Levi, as he walked up the 
 road with the constable. 
 
 " If you hadn't saved my life to-day, I should put 
 you in the lock-up." 
 
 " I don't know that I saved your life. You would 
 have done well enough as long as you held on to 
 the boat. But what I did needn't make any differ 
 ence," added Levi. " You can put me in jail, if you 
 like." 
 
 "But I don't like." 
 
 "I'm not afraid of a jail. I haven't done any 
 thing." 
 
 "I shall not put you in jail, Levi. I must take 
 you before a justice to-morrow, when you will be 
 examined."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 115 
 
 "Well, what then?" asked Levi, curiously. 
 
 " If there is evidence enough to hold you, the jus 
 tice will commit you for trial?" 
 
 "What then?" 
 
 "You will be tried before the court next week." 
 
 "What do you mean by commit me?" 
 
 "Commit you to jail to await your trial; but you 
 can give bail." 
 
 "Perhaps I can," replied Levi, musing; "but I 
 think my uncle would let me lie in jail a year be 
 fore he would risk any money on me." 
 
 "I will see about your bail, Levi; but I hope 
 there will be no need of any. If, at your examina 
 tion before the justice to-morrow, you can prove to 
 his satisfaction that you came honestly by the money 
 you paid for the boat, you will be discharged." 
 
 "Perhaps I can't prove it. Mr. Watson went 
 away yesterday morning." 
 
 "Do you know where he went?" 
 
 "To Rye Beach." 
 
 "That matter must be attended to at once," said 
 Mr. Gayles, as they reached his house. "Come 
 in, Levi."
 
 116 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Is this the lock-up?" asked Lcvi, with a sickly 
 smile. 
 
 "This is all the lock-up I shall take you to; I 
 am responsible for your safe keeping." 
 
 "I won't run away, Mr. Gayles," protested the 
 prisoner. "I'm going to stand up and face the 
 music." 
 
 "I'm satisfied, Levi. We will make you as com 
 fortable as we can here," added the constable, as 
 they entered the house. 
 
 Mr. Gayles told his wife, as briefly as he could, 
 what had happened since he left home in the morn 
 ing; and the young fisherman was as welcome be 
 neath that humble roof as though he had been the 
 President, or the richest man in Rockport. He was 
 treated like an honored guest, and not like a crim 
 inal. While Mrs. Gayles was cooking some ham and 
 eggs for the dinner of the wanderers from the sea, 
 the officer drew from Levi all the latter knew in 
 regard to Mr. Watson. It was absolutely necessary 
 that the attendance of the rich Boston merchant 
 should be procured for the examination on the fol 
 lowing day, for he was the only person by whom it
 
 THE YOUNG FISHEIIMAN OP CAPE ANN. 117 
 
 could be proved where Levi obtained the money to 
 purchase the boat. 
 
 "I have some money, Mr. Gayles twenty-one 
 dollars. I'll hand it over to you, and I want you 
 to do everything that needs to be done for me," 
 continued Levi, as he gave him his wallet. 
 
 "Do you want counsel?" 
 
 "Counsel?" 
 
 "A lawyer, to do the talking for you?" 
 
 "Just as you think best." 
 
 " I will see about that to-morrow. A good lawyer 
 would be a great help to you; but if we can get 
 Mr. Watson here, I don't think we shall need one." 
 
 After dinner, Mr. Gayles left the house, to send a 
 special messenger to Rye for Mr. Watson. When he 
 had gone, Ruel Belcher called to see the prisoner. 
 
 " Well, Levi, I'm sorry for this business," said Ruel. 
 
 "It will come out all right; you may be sure of 
 that. I'm only sorry you think I stole your money," 
 replied Levi. 
 
 "I didn't want to think so." 
 
 "I suppose uncle Nathan tried hard to make you 
 believe it."
 
 118 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "While I hope you didn't do it, Levi, I must say 
 I think it looks bad for you." 
 
 "Maybe it does." 
 
 "You got up this morning, and went off without 
 saying a word to anybody. You put on your best 
 clothes; and when I got up, my money was gone. 
 Now, it seems you have bought a boat for two hun 
 dred and fifty dollars just the sum I lost." 
 
 "But it wasn't your money," added Levi, warmly. 
 " Don't I say it was given to me by Mr. Watson 
 or rather lent to me on purpose to buy that 
 boat?" 
 
 " We don't know anything about Mr. Watson. 
 Just when we want to see him, we find he has gone 
 away." 
 
 " He has gone away, but he will be here again to 
 morrow, I hope." 
 
 "I don't like to be hard upon you, Levi, for I 
 always rather liked you, and you have had a hard 
 row to hoe with your uncle; but it looks to me just 
 as though you made up this story to show where 
 you got the money." 
 
 " I did get the money of Mr. Watson."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 119 
 
 " But you told your uncle he gave you but ten 
 dollars for the dog-fish you lost." 
 
 " That's all he gave me ; he lent me the two hun 
 dred and fifty dollars." 
 
 "That's a pretty story! Do you mean to tell me 
 a rich merchant, like Mf. Watson, would lend a boy, 
 like you, two hundred and fifty dollars?" continued 
 Ruel Belcher, sternly. 
 
 " I mean to say that is just what he did do," re 
 plied Levi, decidedly. 
 
 "Did you give him your note?" sneered Ruel. 
 
 " No, I didn't ; he was in a hurry to go, and I had 
 no time." 
 
 "Why didn't you tell of it last night?" 
 
 "I knew better than that. Uncle Nathan would 
 have taken it away from me." 
 
 "He will do that now." 
 
 "Mr. Watson let me have the money to buy thai 
 boat." 
 
 "Who sold you the boat?" 
 
 "Mr. Hatch and a nice man he is too." 
 
 " So they say ; and I suppose he will give back ' 
 the money you paid him for the boat."
 
 1-0 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Give it back!" exclaimed Levi, almost paralyzed 
 at the thought of losing The Starry Flag. "I don't 
 want him to do that!" 
 
 "It don't make any difference whether you do or 
 not. Your uncle started right off for Gloucester to 
 get the money back as soon as you were taken up." 
 
 "Did he?" said Levi, bitterly. 
 
 "You can set your mind at rest about the boat, 
 Levi ; for your uncle, as your guardian, won't let you 
 buy her." 
 
 "I have bought her, and she is mine." 
 
 "It's no use for you to talk in that way, Levi. I 
 don't think there's any sense or reason in a boy like 
 you owning a boat that costs so much money." 
 
 " I think I'm able to keep as good a boat as 
 that." 
 
 " That may be : when you are of age, you can do 
 what you like with your money; but you won't have 
 that boat," replied Ruel. "Levi, this matter don't 
 look right. The best thing you can do is to make 
 a clean breast of it." 
 
 "I've told the truth. I haven't got your money, 
 Mid I haven't had it."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 121 
 
 "Where is it, then?" 
 
 "I don't know." 
 
 "Do you think your uncle took it?" 
 
 "I don't know anything about it." 
 
 Ruel could make nothing of the prisoner, and he 
 went away, rather confirmed than otherwise in his 
 belief that Levi had stolen the money. 
 
 In the evening, while Mr. Gayles was out, Dock 
 Vincent, who was loading his vessel at Gloucester, 
 and had come home to spend the night, paid the pris 
 oner a visit. He was very anxious to see Levi alone, 
 and they met in the constable's little parlor. The young 
 fisherman could not imagine what Dock wanted of 
 him; and he could not help calling to mind the 
 threats the reckless skipper had used on board the 
 Griffin that morning. Dock had declared that he was 
 Levi's enemy ; and to the young man it did not seem 
 as though they could have any business together. 
 
 "Well, Levi, you have got into a bad scrape," 
 said Dock. 
 
 "Perhaps I have." 
 
 " You will be lucky if you get off with six months 
 in the House of Correction. It looks bad for you." 
 11
 
 122 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "It will look all right when Mr. Watson comes," 
 replied Levi, cheerfully. 
 
 "Is he coming back?" asked Dock, apparently a 
 little startled by the intelligence. 
 
 " We expect him." 
 
 "Perhaps he will come, Levi; but in my opinion 
 he won't." 
 
 "What makes you think he won't?" asked Levi, 
 anxiously. 
 
 " Why should he ? What do you suppose he cares 
 for you? He's a mean man." 
 
 "I don't think so." 
 
 "Well, no matter about that, Levi. I'm a witness 
 in this case ; and I think it depends more upon what 
 I say than it does upon what anybody else says. I 
 can get you out of this scrape quicker than you can 
 say Jack Roberson." 
 
 "How?" 
 
 "Never mind that now," replied Dock, with a 
 knowing nod of the head. " And a word from me will 
 send you to the House of Correction for six months." 
 
 " I only want you to tell the truth," added Levi, 
 again recalling the threat of Dock.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 128 
 
 " That's what I expect to do, but it will spoil your 
 case. I suppose you remember what you said to me 
 off Eastern Point, this morning." 
 
 "What was it?" 
 
 "That Mr. Watson didn't give you anything for 
 saving his daughter. That's right from your own 
 mouth, Levi, and it's the truth, too." 
 
 Levi had said so to Dock and to his uncle; and, 
 if Mr. Watson did not come to the examination, 
 their evidence would certainly condemn him. 
 
 " But I told you Mr. Watson lent me the money," 
 said Levi. 
 
 " Lent it to you ! " laughed Dock. " I say, Levi, I 
 wouldn't say a word about his lending the money 
 to you. No one will believe it if you do." 
 
 Levi was really afraid no one would believe it, 
 and he could not help being deeply depressed by the 
 situation, for his own words were to be brought up 
 to condemn him. 
 
 " Levi, you did me an ill turn yesterday, and I 
 shall have a chance to get even with you to-mor- 
 rpw," continued Dock, satisfied with the effect he had 
 already produced.
 
 124 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Then you mean to give evidence against me," 
 replied Levi, gloomily. 
 
 "That will depend upon circumstances. I suppose 
 you didn't know I saw Mr. Watson give you the 
 two hundred and fifty dollars?" 
 
 "Did you?" 
 
 " Nobody knows anything about it if I did ; but you 
 remember I joined you at the cove, just after Mr. 
 Watson and his daughter went up to the house. 
 You didn't see me, but perhaps I was within ear 
 shot of you when you were talking with him, and 
 perhaps I heard all you said about borrowing the 
 money." 
 
 " Did you hear it, Captain Dock ? " demanded Levi, 
 eagerly. 
 
 "I didn't say I did, and I didn't say I didn't; 
 but you know I wasn't a mile off while you were 
 talking together." 
 
 "All I want is the truth." 
 
 " It is true that you told me Watson gave you 
 nothing. I can swear to that in court, or perhaps 
 I don't say I can or can't ; perhaps I can swear Wat 
 son did let you have the money. I spoke to you
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 125 
 
 something about a little plan of mine, by which both 
 of us can make a heap of money. Now, if you 
 hdll " 
 
 " I know what you are going to say ; and I won't 
 have anything to do with your plans." 
 
 "Don't be in a hurry, Levi. I can prevent Mr. 
 Watson from coming here. If you will help me 
 through with my little plan, I am your friend, and 
 I will get you out of this scrape. I can do it. If 
 you won't, why, you shall go to the House of Cor 
 rection as sure as my name is Dock Vincent." 
 
 "Well, I wont'!" protested Levi, sturdily. "I 
 would go to the House of Correction for life be 
 fore I would have anything to do with you or 
 your little plan." 
 
 "All right," replied Dock, angrily, as he took his 
 hat, and left the house. 
 11*
 
 126 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 LEVl's CHAMBER. 
 
 LEVI felt relieved when Dock Vincent had left 
 him, for it was not pleasant to think that so 
 vile a man considered him capable of a base and 
 mean act. He had still no idea of what Dock meant 
 by his "little plan," except that it was a means of 
 extorting money from Mr. Watson. The worst he 
 could conceive of was, that the two who had saved 
 father and daughter were to present a joint claim 
 for an increased reward ; and this was bad enough to 
 kindle the young fisherman's indignation. He had 
 spoken squarely and decidedly, refusing to have any 
 thing to do with any "little plan;" and he felt 
 better after he had done so. 
 
 Mr. Gayles had sent a special messenger to Rye 
 to procure the attendance of Mr. Watson at the ex 
 amination on the following day, and Levi hoped that
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 127 
 
 anything Dock and his uncle might say would not 
 injure him; but he could not help thinking what an 
 amount of mischief these two men might do him, 
 since both of them wished to injure him. 
 
 At a latw hour in the evening, uncle Nathan, who 
 had been to Gloucester to recover the money paid 
 for The Starry Flag, called upon his ward. The old 
 gentleman was in a very unhappy frame of mind, and, 
 as may well be supposed, he did not come to con 
 dole with the prisoner. He had actually expended 
 thirty cents in railroad fares, but had not accom 
 plished his purpose. Mr. Hatch declared that he 
 had given a bill of sale of the Flag, and when 
 that and the boat were returned to him, he would 
 restore the money. Mr. Fail-field had spent thirty 
 cents for nothing, and though his ward would doubt 
 less have to pay it, he was angry at the awful 
 waste. 
 
 "Levi, I've been to Gloucester paid out thirty 
 cents," began uncle Nathan, sourly. 
 
 "I didn't ask you to go," replied Levi 
 
 "But your carryins on made me go." 
 
 "What did you go for?"
 
 128 THE STABKY FLAG, OB 
 
 "For the money you stole " 
 
 "I didn't steal it," interrupted the prisoner. 
 
 "Don't tell me!" 
 
 "I shall tell you the truth, and when the time 
 comes I shall prove what I say." 
 
 " No matter whether you stole it or not ; you ain't 
 a goin to fool away two hundred and fifty dollars on 
 no boat, nor nothin o' that sort not while I have 
 my senses about me," said the guardian, warmly. 
 "I want you to give me the bill for that boat." 
 
 "I haven't got it," replied Levi. 
 
 It was in the wallet which he had given to the 
 constable. 
 
 "Don't tell me!" exclaimed uncle Nathan, rising 
 from his chair, perhaps surprised that Levi's misfor 
 tunes had not yet broken his spirit, and angry at 
 this appearance of opposition. "Mr. Hatch gin you 
 the bill, and I want it." 
 
 "I say I haven't got it," repeated Levi. "Do you 
 think I would lie about it?" 
 
 "Lie about it! You've told lies enough now to 
 ruin your soul. What have you done with the bill 
 of sale?"
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 129 
 
 "Mr. Gayles has it." 
 
 While uncle Nathan was still raving about the 
 bill, the constable came in, and the irate guardian 
 demanded the important document of him. 
 
 "Don't give it to him, Mr. Gayles," said Levi, 
 quietly. 
 
 " I have no intention of doing so," added the offi 
 cer. "This bill may be wanted at the trial, and I 
 shall hold on to it." 
 
 "Mr. Gayles, I'm that boy's guardeen, and I want 
 that bill. I want to git back the money the boy 
 stole." 
 
 "Perhaps he didn't steal it," quietly suggested 
 Mr. Gayles. 
 
 " But he did steal it don't tell me ! " 
 
 "When it is proved that he did, it will be my 
 duty to return the boat to Mr. Hatch, and reclaim 
 the money paid for it." 
 
 "Have you an idee it won't be proved, Mr. 
 Gayles?" demanded Mr. Fail-field. 
 
 " In my opinion Levi will get clear. I don't think 
 he stole the money." 
 ' "Who did steal it then?"
 
 130 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 " I don't know." 
 
 " The money was stole ; that boy went off and 
 paid two hundred and fifty dollars for a boat that 
 very morning. Can you put them two things to 
 gether, Mr. Gayles?" 
 
 " They don't prove that Levi stole that money," 
 replied the constable ; but he could not help confessing 
 to himself that the boy's position was a trying one. 
 
 "Do you believe Ruel Belcher lost any money?'' 
 asked Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 "I have no doubt he did." 
 
 "Then who took it? Nobody got into the house 
 that didn't belong there," 
 
 "Levi is going to prove that Mr. Watson let him 
 have the money he paid for the boat. I have sent 
 a man to Rye on purpose for him," added the con 
 stable. , 
 
 " Then who took Ruel's money ? * demanded the 
 miser, blankly. 
 
 " I think you ought to know better than I," replied 
 Mr. Gayles, with suggestive emphasis. 
 
 "Creation! Do you mean to say that ) took it?" 
 exclaimed Mr. Fairfield.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 131 
 
 U I didn't say so; but I hear that you went into 
 the room where Ruel and Levi slept, after they had 
 gone to sleep." 
 
 "I'm that boy's guardeen; I went into the room 
 to git his money, not Ruel's, but I didn't git any 
 thing." 
 
 "You know best, Mr. Fairfield; but I think you 
 had better not be too hard on the boy." 
 
 "Hard on him! I've taken care o' that boy jest 
 as if he'd been my own son. I've looked out for 
 him, and seen to his money, jest as if it was my 
 own, and " 
 
 "That's so," interrupted Levi. 
 
 " You see how he treats me fur all I've done 
 for him. . Why, he fit me yisterday like a wildcat. 
 I can't do nothin with him, and he must be seen 
 to. I want the boy to behave himself that's all. 
 Now, he's been stealin." 
 
 "Not proved, Mr. Fail-field." 
 
 "It's jest as clear to me as the nose on your face." 
 
 Mr. Gayles had a long nose. 
 
 " Perhaps it is. Does Mr. Belcher know what bills 
 Captain Dock paid him?"
 
 132 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " Of course he does ; a man like him don't take 
 hundred-dollar bills without lookin at em." 
 
 " Very well ; Mr. Belcher will swear that he lost 
 bills on a certain bank ; if Mr. Hatch swears that he 
 received the same bills from Levi, then a case may 
 be made out against the boy. 
 
 "Just so," added uncle Nathan, rather vacantly; 
 and as nothing was to be made by prolonging his 
 visit, he left the house, and went home. 
 
 Nathan Fail-field was a miser. Money was his 
 only joy in this world; and he loved it so well that 
 he thought little of the next world. Lcvi's property 
 amounted to over ten thousand dollars, for the in 
 terest more than paid even the exorbitant charges 
 of the guardian for the ward's support. He wanted 
 this money. He had not the patience to think of 
 twelve or fourteen thousand dollars falling into the 
 hands of a young man like Levi, who had "no idee 
 of the vally of money." 
 
 Perhaps he did not clearly and distinctly wish that 
 Levi would die ; or, if he did, he was not willing to 
 acknowledge as much even to himself; but he could 
 not help thinking how much better it would be if
 
 THE YOU^G FISHERMAN OF CA^E AXX. 13u 
 
 the fortune should come to one who knew how to 
 keep it. With this thought in his mind, where it 
 often was, he entered the kitchen of his home, where 
 Ruel and Mrs. Fail-field were seated. 
 
 If the guardian did not allow himself to believe 
 that he wished for the conviction of his ward, it was 
 none the less true that he did wish it. The boy 
 was high-spirited; the House of Correction would 
 break him down; the disgrace might even kill him, 
 and Mr. Fairfield, as the only brother of Levi's de 
 ceased father, would inherit his property. What the 
 constable had said about the identity of the bills dis 
 turbed him. Levi might escape ; if he did he would 
 be more stubborn and disobedient than ever. 
 
 "Did you notice the bills that Captain Dock paid 
 you, Ruel?" asked Mr. Fairfield, as he seated him 
 self in a broken chair. 
 
 "Of course I did," replied Ruel; and he named 
 the banks by which the bills had been issued. 
 " On one of the hundred-dollar bills there was a 
 great blot of ink, something in the shape of half 
 a star, after the cashier's name, as though the pen 
 had snapped as he finished writing." 
 12
 
 134 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 "Then you'd know the bills if you see 'em?" 
 
 " I should know that one, aad I think I should the 
 others." 
 
 " Bless me ! There's another shower comin up ! " 
 exclaimed the matron, as a heavy peal of thunder 
 startled her. 
 
 The conversation continued for half an hour, when 
 the rain began to fall in torrents. Mrs. Fairfield said 
 the windows in Levi's room were open, and wished 
 her husband to go up and close them. He lighted 
 a lamp and went up stairs for this purpose. As he 
 entered the chamber, the wind began to blow in a 
 fierce squall, as it had in the forenoon of that day. 
 He closed the windows, and was about to descend 
 the stairs, when he heard a sharp rattling in the 
 chimney. 
 
 Like everything else about the house, the chimney 
 was in a state of dilapidation. Two or three bricks 
 had been detached by the fierce wind from the top, 
 and had tumbled down the flue into the room. Mr. 
 Fairfield returned to ascertain the extent of the dam 
 age, fearful that he might be compelled to employ 
 a mason for a few hours to repair it; and he had
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 135 
 
 paid out so much money for steaks from the "under 
 side of the round " that he felt almost impoverished. 
 The thirty cents he had expended in railroad fares 
 also stung him at that moment. 
 
 He pulled down the fireboard, and saw the bricks 
 lying upon the hearth of the large, old-fashioned fire 
 place. On the top of them lay an object which 
 challenged all his attention, and he forgot the storm, 
 and even the falling chimney. 
 
 It was Ruel's wallet ! 
 
 With eager hand he picked it up. It contained 
 three bills two one hundreds and a fifty. He was 
 amazed and bewildered by the sight. He examined 
 the bills ; on one of them was the blot in the shape 
 of half a star, which Ruel had mentioned. "Without 
 a doubt, this was the money his brother-in-law had 
 lost. Levi was innocent he had not stolen the 
 wallet. 
 
 "Husband! what's the matter?" called Mrs. Fair- 
 field, at the foot of the stairs. "What's that noise?" 
 
 She had heard the fall of the bricks, and perhaps 
 feared her husband had been struck by them. 
 
 "Nothin; only a few bricks fell down chimney,"
 
 136 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 replied Mr. Fairfield, hastily thrusting the wallet into 
 his pocket. 
 
 He went down stairs, and, having satisfied his wife 
 that the old house had not " caved in," he seated 
 himself in the broken chair again, and, leaving Mrs. 
 Fail-field and her brother to continue their conversa 
 tion, he proceeded to consider the discovery he had 
 just made. 
 
 How came that money in the chimney? It had 
 been concealed there by somebody, and the falling 
 bricks had jostled it from its hiding-place. Who put 
 it there? Not Ruel: he would not hide his own 
 money. He would not cheat himself out of two hun 
 dred and fifty dollars. Mr. Fairfield did not hide it 
 himself. Of course, then, it must have been Lcvi; 
 no one else could have done it. 
 
 Mr. Fairfield was roused from his brown study at 
 half past ten, and reminded that it was time to go 
 to bed. He went to bed. The next morning he took 
 the first train for Gloucester, apparently heedless of 
 the expense, though the thirty cents must have 
 galled him like a thorn in his flesh.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 137 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 LBVI MAKES A SPEECH. 
 
 HOW a man who has lived threescore years, 
 and stands almost in sight of the open grave, 
 can love money, as Nathan Fairfield loved it, is be 
 yond our comprehension. He had found Ruel's 
 money, for the stealing of which Levi was at least 
 in danger of being sent to the House of Correction. 
 He was entirely satisfied that Levi had stolen the 
 wallet, and concealed it in the chimney; for it was 
 not possible, in his opinion, that any one else could 
 have taken it. 
 
 But it was equally clear to him that Levi had not 
 used Ruel's money for the purchase of The Starry 
 Flag. He concluded that the wretched youth had 
 hidden it in the chimney for future use, after the 
 storm, following the loss of the bills, had blown over. 
 It was quite proper that Levi should be convicted, 
 12*
 
 138 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 for he was guilty ; and the guardian was determined 
 to "break him down." lie actually hated his ward 
 for having a will of his own, and he was determined 
 to have him convicted, if possible. 
 
 Mr. Fail-field hastened to the wharf where the 
 boat-builder's shop was located, as soon as the train 
 reached Gloucester. The examination of Levi was 
 to take place at eleven o'clock, and Mr. Hatch had 
 been summoned to appear as a witness ; but the 
 guardian found him at the shop. 
 
 "Mr. Hatch, I come over to see you agin about 
 that boat business," said Mr. Fairfield, after they 
 had passed the usual salutations. "I want to know 
 sunthin more about it." 
 
 " It's bad business ; but I hope the boy didn't steal 
 the money," replied the boat-builder. 
 
 " I hope he didn't ; but I know he did," added the 
 visitor, whose hypocrisy was no match for his malice. 
 *' Have you got them bills the boy paid you, Mr. 
 Hatch ? " 
 
 " I have ; I wanted to pay the money away, but 
 I couldn't do ,it while there was likely to be any 
 trouble about it."
 
 THE YOUXG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 139 
 
 " I wish you'd jest let me look at them bills. I'll 
 give 'em right back to you. Do you know what 
 bank they're on ? " 
 
 " No, I didn't mind ; I only looked at the figures," 
 replied Mr. Hatch, as he took out his pocket-book, 
 and handed the bills to Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 "I ruther think I've got a clew to this business," 
 said the guardian, as he took the bills and fumbled 
 in his pocket for his spectacles. " I was talking to 
 my brother-in-law last night about the bills ; he looked 
 at 'em, and knows jest what they was." 
 
 Mi-. Fairfield, with no little agitation and excite 
 ment in his manner, put on his spectacles and opened 
 the roll of bills he held in his hand. 
 
 "Are those the bills your brother-in-law lost?" 
 asked Mr. Hatch, much interested in the result of 
 the investigation. 
 
 "Fact! I don't know's I can tell now; but Ruel 
 knows all about it," replied Mr. Fail-field, as he re 
 turned the bills. 
 
 " What did you want to see the bills for, if you 
 don't know them when you Bee them?" asked Mr. 
 Hatch.
 
 140 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "I was comin over to Gloshter this mornin, and ] 
 thought I'd jest see you about the bills. I didn't 
 know but you might have paid 'em away; and I 
 wanted you to have 'em with you when you go over 
 to Rockport to the trial." 
 
 "It seems to me, Mr. Fairfield, you are very 
 anxious to have your nephew convicted of the 
 crime," added the boat-builder, disgusted at the 
 conduct of the guardian. 
 
 " 'Tain't so, Mr. Hatch no sich thing," protested 
 Mr. Fairfield. "You don't understand this business 
 as well as I do.' The fact on't is, that money was 
 stole in my house. Ruel more'n half hinted that I 
 stole it myself; and goodness knows, I wouldn't do 
 no sich thing as that." 
 
 "But the boy tells where he got the money." 
 
 "He don't tell the truth," replied Mr. Fairfield, 
 shaking his head, as he walked away. 
 
 Mr. Hatch concluded that the guardian had come 
 to him to assure himself that the identical bills paid 
 for the boat would be produced at the trial. Though 
 he had no respect for the miser, and thought it very 
 unnatural that an uncle should be so forward to have
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 141 
 
 his nephew and ward condemned, he could see no 
 good reason why the whole truth should not come 
 out at the examination. With the bank bills in his 
 pocket-book, he took the same train with Mr. Fair- 
 field for Rockport. 
 
 At eleven o'clock Levi was taken to the office of 
 the trial justice by Mr. Gayles. The special messen 
 ger who had been sent for Mr. Watson had not yet 
 appeared, but it was believed that the important wit 
 ness would be present. Mr. Gayles was so confident 
 Levi would be discharged, that no lawyer had been 
 employed to manage his case. The cause was duly 
 brought before the justice, and Ruel Belcher, in his 
 testimony, gave a full history of the loss of his 
 money, as it has been already recited to the read 
 er. Mr. Gayles detailed the arrest, and gave Levi's 
 explanation of the manner he had come into pos 
 session of the money with which he had bought the 
 boat ; but both Mr. Fairfield and Dock Vincent swore 
 that Levi had told them Mr. Watson gave him no 
 money had only paid him ten dollars for the fish 
 he had lost. 
 
 By this time Mr. Hatch, who had been to see the
 
 142 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 minister for whose society he had built the boat, 
 came into the room, and gave his testimony. Ruel 
 had already declared that he could identify the bills 
 he had lost. The boat-builder told what had passed 
 between himself and Levi the day before, which in 
 cluded the statement that Mr. Watson had " let him 
 have " the money. 
 
 " Have you the bills the boy paid you ? " asked 
 the justice. 
 
 " I have," replied Mr. Hatch, taking out his pocket- 
 book and producing the bills. 
 
 Ruel was directed to examine them. This appeared 
 to be the turning-point of the case, and those present 
 were breathless with interest. Levi smiled as pleas 
 antly as a summer morning, for he was entirely sat 
 isfied that this line of evidence would establish his 
 innocence. 
 
 "These are the very bills I lost," said Ruel 
 Belcher. 
 
 " What ! " exclaimed Levi, springing to his feet, 
 horrified at the words Ruel had spoken. 
 
 "Can you swear that those are the bills you lost, 
 Mr. Belcher?" demanded the justice.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 143 
 
 "I can." 
 
 "How do you identify them?" 
 
 " By this blot of ink, in the shape of half a star, 
 near the cashier's signature." 
 
 At this stage of the examination the special mes* 
 senger appeared. He had stopped a moment to do 
 an errand in Gloucester, and had lost the train; but 
 he had no good news for Levi, now overwhelmed by 
 the evidence against him. He had been to Rye, but 
 Mr. Watson had hardly reached the hotel at the 
 beach before he was summoned to Boston by a 
 telegraph despatch to meet some business emer 
 gency, and his family had gone with him. The 
 most important witness for Levi, therefore, could 
 not be obtained. 
 
 The evidence was all heard. Ruel's money had 
 disappeared ; Levi had left his home the next 
 morning without any explanation of his purpose, 
 bought The Starry Flag, and Ruel had identified 
 the bills paid to Mr. Hatch as the money he had 
 lost. Two witnesses had sworn that Levi said Mr. 
 Watson gave him no money. It seemed to be a 
 very plain case, and the justice said aa much.
 
 144 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "I know'd just how it would be," said Mr. Fair- 
 field, who sat near Levi. 
 
 " I didn't steal that money," cried Levi, springing 
 to his feet again; and he was so overcome by his 
 emotions that the tears streamed down his cheeks. 
 "Mr. Watson let me have that money." 
 
 " How could Mr. Watson have given you the very 
 bills which Mr. Belcher lost?" asked the justice, 
 quietly. 
 
 "I don't know about that," protested Levi; "but 
 if you will only wait till Mr. Watson comes, he will 
 tell you that he gave me the money." 
 
 "That is hardly necessary. The case seems to be 
 made out, and I must commit you for trial. If you 
 wish to ask the witnesses any questions, or offer any 
 new evidence, you may do so." 
 
 " I want to ask Mr. Hatch if the bills he showed 
 here are the ones I paid him." 
 
 "They are," replied Mr. Hatch. 
 
 "Are you sure?" demanded Levi, earnestly. 
 "Have they been out of your hands since I gave 
 them to you?"
 
 TIIK YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 145 
 
 "Well, yes once," answered the boat-builder. 
 
 " They have ! " exclaimed Levi, catching at this 
 straw. 
 
 "Your uncle came over to see me this morning, 
 and wanted to know if I had the same bills you paid 
 me. I told him I had, and showed them to him." 
 
 "Did he take them in his hand?" 
 
 " He did ; but he couldn't tell me whether they 
 were the ones Mr. Belcher had lost or not." 
 
 " What did he want to see them for ? " asked Levi, 
 greatly excited. 
 
 "I don't know." 
 
 " I guess you don't ! " 
 
 Mr. Fail-field was very uneasy and very angry. 
 
 "Be calm, Levi, and ask any questions you wish," 
 said the justice. 
 
 "Did uncle Nathan give you back the same bills 
 you gave him?" 
 
 " I suppose he did ; I don't know," replied Mr. 
 Hatch. 
 
 "Didn't you examine tha bills before you passed 
 them to Mr. Fairfield ? " asked the justice. 
 13
 
 146 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " No, sir ; I supposed, of course, he gave me back 
 just what I handed to him." 
 
 "May I say something, Squire Saunders?" contin 
 ued Levi, wiping the tears from his face. 
 
 " Anything relating to the matter before us," re 
 plied the justice. 
 
 "I know I didn't steal that money, Squire Saun^ 
 ders; and I want to have you wait till I can get 
 Mr. Watson here. I've got money enough to send 
 for him. He'll tell you he gave me the money for 
 saving his daughter. I wanted that boat to earn 
 some money with. Here's my uncle ; he's my guar 
 dian;" and Levi pointed at Mr. Fail-field, who sat 
 squirming like an eel in his chair. "He's meaner 
 than dirt. He don't give me enough to eat, and 
 not much of anything to wear. I want to go to 
 school, and he won't let me. If I should die, he 
 would be the happiest man in Rockport. He wants 
 to break me down ! Yes, sir ! He wants to break 
 me down! He wants to get rid of me; and he's 
 done everything he could to make it out that I stole 
 this money."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 147 
 
 " That's a fact ! " ejaculated Mr. Hatch, loud enough 
 to be heard by all in the room. 
 
 Levi waxed eloquent. He was actually making a 
 speech. 
 
 " But I didn't steal it," he continued. " I wouldn't 
 steal any man's money. I've been trying to make 
 something to help myself, because my guardian will 
 not give me what I need. I earned twenty-one 
 dollars, and he tried to take it away from me, 
 Squire Saunders." 
 
 " I'm his guardeen ! " interposed uncle Nathan, 
 savagely. 
 
 "Tell me only about the money, Levi," said the 
 justice. 
 
 "He tried to take my money away from me, 
 sir. He wants to make it out that I am a bad 
 boy that I'm a thief; but I am not. I've been 
 treated worse than a dog, and I won't stand it!" 
 
 Levi's tears began to flow again; and as his in 
 dignation was kindled at his wrongs, he gesticulated 
 violently, and even shook his fist in the face of his 
 guardian. 
 
 "He came into the room where Mr. Belcher and
 
 148 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 I slept, night before last, looking for my money 
 Mr. Belcher told me he did. And he says I 
 stole the money ; but I didn't ; and I'm almost 
 sure now that he stole it himself!" 
 
 Mr. Fairfield jumped up as though he had been 
 idiot.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 149 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 ME. HATCH'S TESTIMONY. 
 
 YOU villain, you!" gasped Mr. Fair-field, filled 
 with rage at being charged with stealing the 
 money, in addition to the other unpleasant revelations 
 which Levi had made. 
 
 " Squire Saunders, I say just what I believe. I 
 don't know as I ought to say it, but I can't help 
 thinking it," added the young fisherman. 
 
 " You villain, you ! how dare you say I stole the 
 money ! I never did sich a thing in my life. I've 
 lived here in Rockport all my days, and I caPlate 
 folks know me well enough to know I wouldn't 
 steal," interposed Mr. Fairfield, a little* more com 
 posed, when he found himself standing up before the 
 justice and other persons in the room. " It's jest as 
 clear to me as anything in natur can be, that the 
 boy stole that money ; and seems to me 'tain't 
 13*
 
 150 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 exactly right to let him stand here and talk so 
 about one that has been his best friend on airth. 
 I've done everything I could for that boy. I've 
 tried to bring him up right; and to-day he's got 
 more property than he had when his father died. 
 I've done the best I could for him, Squire Saunders, 
 and now you see what I git for't." 
 
 Mr. Fairfield, having vented his overcharged feel 
 ings, sat down, and looked like a much-abused man. 
 
 " Squire Saunders, all I've got to say is, if the 
 money Mr. Hatch showed here is the same that Ruel 
 lost, my uncle must have changed it when he was 
 looking at it, for I know I didn't steal the money. 
 I never touched it, and never saw it," said Levi, 
 stoutly. " All I want is, to have Mr. Watson come 
 here, and tell what he knows about this business." 
 
 The prisoner sat down again, with the feeling that 
 he had, at least, raised a doubt in regard to his 
 guilt. 
 
 "I am entirely willing to continue the case until 
 Mr. Watson's attendance can be procured," added 
 Squire Saunders; "though, if Mr. Belcher is ready 
 to testify that the money in Mr. Hatch's hands,
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 151 
 
 which he swears was paid to him by Levi, is com 
 posed of the identical bills he lost, it is hardly 
 necessary. 
 
 Mr. Hatch rose, and seemed much embarrassed. 
 
 "I think that is to say when I gave my ovi, 
 dence I hope your honor don't think I think I 
 was a little too fast," said he, winding up desperately 
 when he found he was making a " mess " of it. 
 
 "You wish to correct your testimony?" said the 
 justice, with a smile. 
 
 "I said just what I thought was true; but, on 
 second thought, I think I may be mistaken. It 
 didn't occur to me, till Levi spoke, that the money 
 had been out of my hands." 
 
 "You can correct your statements, if you wish," 
 added the magistrate. 
 
 "I don't know as I want to correct anything 
 more. When the boy paid me the money, and told 
 me where he got it, so that I was satisfied it was 
 all right, I just looked at the figures on the bills. 
 The national bank bills are all alike to me, and all 
 of 'em good ; so I didn't mind much about 'em. I 
 was just going to pay that money away for some
 
 152 THIS STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 lumber I bought, when Mr. Gayles came along to 
 find the boy." 
 
 " I thought the proceeds of the sale of the boat 
 were for the benefit of Mr. Ames's church," inter 
 posed Squire Saunders. 
 
 " Bless you ! so they were ; but I had money 
 enough in the bank to pay it. I didn't know as I 
 should see the minister for a week or two ; so I 
 thought I might as well use the money I had in 
 my pocket to pay for my lumber. It would save 
 me going clear up to the bank, you see." 
 
 " No doubt it was all right, Mr. Hatch," added 
 the justice. 
 
 " O, it was ! you may depend upon it," said the 
 boat-builder, earnestly, for he was not quite sure 
 that he might not yet be accused of an attempt to 
 purloin from the church the proceeds of the sale ; 
 but every one knew that Mr. Hatch would be sunk 
 a thousand feet in the sea rather than wrong any 
 person of the value of one cent. " I might have 
 drawn a check for the lumber ; and I should have 
 done so, if I hadn't had that money in my pocket. 
 You see, squire, it would save me taking some steps, 
 and "
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. ' 153 
 
 " Never mind that, Mr. Hatch ; I am entirely satis 
 fied with your explanation. Confine yourself if you 
 please, to the matter before the court," interposed 
 the justice. 
 
 " Yes, sir. Well, sir, Mr. Gayles came along, and 
 said he was after Levi, because he had stolen the 
 money. I was kind of struck up when I heard this, 
 and didn't think anything more about the lumber. 
 The fact on't is, I haven't paid for it yet; but Mr. 
 Proctor knows I'm good " 
 
 " No doubt you are, Mr. Hatch ; but the question 
 relates to the identity of the bills in your possession." 
 
 "Just so. Well, sir, Mr. Gayles went off in a 
 boat after Levi, and I didn't hear anything more 
 about the matter till this morning, though I was 
 afraid all of 'em would get cast away when it 
 blowed so yesterday. That was one of the heaviest 
 squalls we have had in these parts since I was a 
 boy. We had another last night, but it wasn't quite 
 so heavy. Well, I was afraid the boats would upset 
 in that squall, and I kept thinking of 'em, for I was 
 out once in a squall, though it wasn't quite so heavy 
 as the one we had yesterday noon ; but I've observed
 
 154 THE 8TAREY FLAG, OB 
 
 that these squalls coming up from the westward 
 after such a day " 
 
 " We do not care to listen, just now, to a homily 
 on meteorology, Mr. Hatch," interrupted the justice; 
 " you said you didn't look at the bills yesterday." 
 
 " No, sir ; I didn't say so. I'm on oath, and I 
 want to tell it just exactly as it was, this time. I 
 did look at the bills, but only to see the figures. 
 This morning Mr. Fairfield here came over to see 
 me about them bills. He wanted to look at 'em, 
 and I let him have 'em." 
 
 "Didn't he change them?" demanded Levi, impa 
 tient under the long speeches of the worthy boat- 
 builder. 
 
 "Bless your soul! I don't know as he did; and, 
 then again, I don't know but he did. I wasn't mind 
 ing particularly what he did." 
 
 "What did he do when you gave them to him?" 
 asked Levi, anxiously ; for he was by this time 
 almost certain that his uncle, when he went into the 
 room to search for the twenty-one dollars, had stolen 
 Ruel's wallet, and exchanged the lost bills for those 
 paid for The Starry Flag.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CA1-E ANN. 165 
 
 " Well, he took the bills, and fumbled about his 
 pockets for his spectacles. He found 'em, put 'em 
 on, looked at. the bills, and then gave 'em back 
 to me." 
 
 "You have no means of knowing whether he 
 changed them or not ? " said the justice. 
 
 " No, sir ; I have not. He might have done it, for 
 all I know." 
 
 " Mr. Hatch," continued the magistrate, rather 
 sternly, " are you willing to swear that the bills 
 produced by you in court are the identical ones paid 
 to you by the prisoner?" 
 
 "Well, sir, I've told you just exactly how it was; 
 and you can judge for yourself whether the bills are 
 the same ones," replied Mr. Hatch, wiping the per 
 spiration from his brow. 
 
 "That is not the point. Mr. Belcher swears posi 
 tively that the bills you have exhibited are the ones 
 he lost ; now, can you swear that they were paid to 
 you by Levi Fairfield?" 
 
 "No, sir; I cannot that is to say, I'm not will 
 ing to do so. I'll swear to anything in reason, 
 but "
 
 156 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " Can you swear that Mr. Fairfield did change the 
 bills?" added Squire Saunders. 
 
 " No, I certainly cannot. He might have changed 
 'em, but you see I don't know whether he did 
 or not." 
 
 " That will do, Mr. Hatch ; sit down, if you 
 please," continued the justice. " Mr. Belcher, do you 
 wish to make any change in your testimony?" 
 
 " No, sir ; I don't know that I do." 
 
 "You are quite positive the bills produced by Mr. 
 Hatch are the identical ones you lost?" 
 
 " I'm just as sure of it as I am that I stand here," 
 replied Ruel, confidently. " I looked them over very 
 carefully, for I'm not much used to handling hundred- 
 dollar bills, and I rather liked the looks of them." 
 
 "Where did you get the bills?" 
 
 "They were paid to me yesterday by Captain 
 Vincent." 
 
 " I think I should know them again," added Dock, 
 who was then invited to examine them. "They are 
 the very bills I paid Mr. Belcher," he did not say 
 how reluctantly. "This new one was given me by 
 Mr. Watson."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 157 
 
 tf Mr. Fairfield, do you wish to alter your evi 
 dence ? " said Squire Saunders, turning to Levi's guar 
 dian. 
 
 " Not one word on't ! " replied he, with energy. 
 
 "You visited the chamber in which Mr. Belcher 
 and Levi were asleep did you not ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir ; I did go in. The fact on't is, that boy 
 had twenty-one dollars, and I'm his guardeen." 
 
 " We know that," interposed the justice, tartly. 
 
 " He's gettin to be a bad boy, and it's high time 
 sunthin' was done. He's got to be seen to, or " 
 
 " What did you go into the room for ? " 
 
 " To git Levi's money. I didn't want to have 
 him fool it away, waste the money, and hurt him 
 self." 
 
 "Did you find his money?" 
 
 "No, I did not; I wish I had." 
 
 " You found no money ? " 
 
 "Not a cent." 
 
 " For what purpose did you visit Gloucester this 
 morning ? " 
 
 " To see Mr. Hatch. You see, I was afraid he'd 
 pay away them bills " 
 14
 
 158 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 "And your nephew would not be convicted," 
 added the justice, with evident disgust. 
 
 " If that boy stole the money and I know he 
 did I want the facts to come out jest as they be. 
 He's a bad boy, and he's gittin wus every day. I 
 can't do nothin with him ; he fit me like a wildcat ; 
 and it's a good deal better to have him seen to 
 afore it's too late, than tis to let him go to ruin, 
 and then try to save him from the error of his 
 ways. I b'lieve in shettin the door afore the hoss 
 is stole." 
 
 " Did you change the bills handed to you by Mr. 
 Hatch?" 
 
 " Did I change 'em ! " repeated Nathan Fairfield, 
 trying to look savage and indignant; but the attempt 
 was a miserable failure, for his emphasis was broken- 
 backed, and his thin lips quivered. " Did I change 
 'em! You've known me a good many years, Squire 
 Saunders " 
 
 "Answer the question." 
 
 " Of course I didn't change 'em. What should / 
 change 'em for? I only wanted to be sure that Mr. 
 Hatch didn't pass them bills off."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHEBMAN OF CAPE ANN. 159 
 
 "That is sufficient," said the justice, turning to 
 Levi, whom he called up. "Levi, this is not a 
 court to try you for the crime with which you 
 are charged. It is my duty to examine the evidence 
 for and against you, and determine whether there 
 are sufficient grounds for holding you to answer in 
 the proper court on the charge against you. This is 
 not your trial." 
 
 "I know it, sir," replied Levi; "I'm ready to do 
 whatever you say, but I didn't steal that money any 
 more than you did." 
 
 " Understand me, Levi : I do not say you are 
 guilty, but there is probable cause for believing you 
 guilty, as the case stands at present." 
 
 " It wouldn't stand so if Mr. Watson had been 
 here," added Levi. 
 
 "As you seem to lay a great deal of stress upon 
 the appearance of Mr. Watson, I will, if you desire, 
 continue the case for a few days." 
 
 "I do desire it," replied Levi, decidedly. 
 
 " Yery well ; I will put the case off for one week ; 
 but in the mean time I must commit you, unless
 
 160 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 you offer sufficient bail for your appearance. Per 
 haps your uncle would be your bail." 
 
 " I'm willin to do anything in reason, squire ; but 
 that boy would be jest as sartin to run away as he 
 would be to eat when he's hungry," interrupted Mr. 
 Fairfield. 
 
 " If he could get something to eat," added Levi, 
 bitterly. 
 
 Very much to the prisoner's surprise, a Cape Ann 
 millionnaire worth one hundred and fifty thousand 
 dollars came forward, and offered to " go bail " for 
 him. The father-in-law of Mr. Gayles also offered 
 himself, both gentlemen having been secured by the 
 grateful constable. The bail was acceptable, and 
 Levi left the office, to appear again in one week.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 161 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 AFTER THE EXAMINATION. 
 
 OF those who attended the examination of Levi, 
 one half believed that Mr. Fail-field had stolen 
 the money, and the other half that Levi was guilty 
 of the theft. Some thought that Levi was a bad 
 boy; and all knew that his uncle was a hard and 
 mean man. 
 
 The prisoner left the office with Mr. Gayles. The 
 boat-builder was in great trouble. He was now 
 entirely satisfied that the money in his possession 
 was that which had been stolen from Ruel Belcher; 
 and when the squire told him he might restore it to 
 owner, taking his receipt therefor, he made haste to 
 get rid of it. 
 
 " NOW you have got your money, Mr. Belcher, and 
 you ought to be satisfied," said he, as he gave up the 
 bills. 
 
 14*
 
 162 THE STAKRT FLAG, OB 
 
 "I am entirely satisfied." 
 
 " Now, do you believe that boy stole the money ? * 
 
 "Sartin he did," interposed Mr. Fairfield. "No 
 body else could have took it." 
 
 " I don't say you took it, Mr. Fairfield ; but I can't 
 quite get it through my head that Levi isn't an hon 
 est boy," added Mr. Hatch. 
 
 " The fact on't is, I know the boy stole the money. 
 Mr. Watson didn't give him no two hundred and 
 fifty dollars for haulin that gal into the dory," con 
 tinued Mr. Fairfield. " He's a rich man ; and he 
 didn't git rich foolin away his money in that shape. 
 It stands to reason a man like him wouldn't do no 
 sich thing." 
 
 "If Mr. Watson did give him two hundred and 
 fifty dollars, where is it now? That's the question," 
 suggested Ruel Belcher. " I'm just as sure this money 
 paid me by Mr. Hatch is what I lost, as I am that I 
 stand here now." 
 
 " I don't believe Mr. Watson give him any money ; 
 if he did, the boy has hid it," said the guardian. 
 
 "I think we'd better hunt round, and see if w 
 an't find it," added Ruel.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 163 
 
 "Levi seemed to be very sure that Mr. F airfield 
 changed the bills when he looked at them this morn 
 ing," continued Squire Saunders, glancing at the 
 guardian. 
 
 "That boy hates me, and all because I've tried to 
 do well by him, and make a man of him. He'd say 
 anything," replied Mr. Fail-field; but he did not like 
 the look which the magistrate gave him. 
 
 The conversation continued for some time longer, 
 but without making any of the party wiser than they 
 were before. Mr. Fairfield was disturbed and un 
 easy. He wanted to get away, but he didn't wish 
 to leave while it was possible that anything might 
 be said to implicate him. He knew that he had, at 
 that moment, the identical bills in his pocket which 
 Mr. Watson had paid Levi; he knew that he had 
 changed the bills in the morning, during his inter 
 view with the boat-builder; and he was afraid as 
 all guilty men are that some circumstance mighl 
 betray him. 
 
 But we must do the guardian the justice to say, 
 that he believed Levi had stolen Ruel's wallet. He 
 had found it concealed in the chimney, He was cen-
 
 164 
 
 fident that no one but the boy could have stolen it 
 He did not steal it himself he knew that ; and Rue! 
 would not purloin his own money. If he did steal 
 it and he did he ought to be convicted; and the 
 fact that the wallet had been found in the chimney, 
 would be as likely to convict the uncle as the 
 nephew. 
 
 Ruel and Mr. Fairfield left the office together; 
 but they soon separated, and Nathan went home 
 alone. He was very nervous, for he had done a 
 mean, base, and wicked act, though this did not 
 trouble him half so much as the fear that what 
 he had done would be discovered. Mr. Watson 
 might come to Rockport within a few days. Prob 
 ably he would be able to identify the large bills he 
 had given to Levi. What if they should be found 
 upon him? The cold sweat started on his fore 
 head at the very thought, for it would prove that 
 he had changed the bills Mr. Hatch handed to 
 him. 
 
 He was alarmed. He reached his dilapidated man 
 sion, and went in. Though he told his wife the 
 result of the examination, he was not disposed t
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 163 
 
 enlarge upon the subject. What if the constable 
 should come to look for the bills? He was terrified 
 as the thought flashed through his mind, and jump 
 ing out of his chair, he went up stairs to Levi's 
 room. Taking the stolen wallet from his pocket, 
 he placed the bills he had taken from Mr. Hatch 
 just as he found the original contents when the 
 wallet fell out of its hiding-place. 
 
 Without thinking that he was attired in his best 
 clothes, he crawled into the fireplace, and then thrust 
 his head up into the capacious flue. It was an old- 
 fashioned house, and the fireplaces were large enough 
 to hold from a foot to half a cord of wood. Mr. 
 Fairfield was looking for a safe place for the wallet. 
 He intended to restore it to the chimney where he 
 had found it, until the excitement had subsided, when 
 the money could be used. But if he put it where it 
 was before, Levi, who had concealed it, would find 
 it again, and, before the week had expired, would 
 take it, and leave for parts unknown. 
 
 Mr. Fairfield concluded to place it about eight 
 feet above the hearth, where he found a projecting 
 brick upon which it could rest. Levi, not finding
 
 166 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 the wallet where he had hidden it, would naturally 
 conclude that it was gone, and not search higher up 
 for it. At the same time, if Levi should be driven 
 to confess the theft, and reveal the hiding-place of 
 the wallet, then it would be found in the chimney. 
 But he hoped the boy would not be weak enough 
 to confess ; and when the trouble was all over, Mr. 
 Fairfield could put the money in his pocket. 
 
 The miserable old wretch was satisfied with the 
 precautions he had used, and was reasonably confi 
 dent that his own villany would not be discovered. 
 He had hardly put up the fireboard when he heard 
 a very emphatic knocking at the front door. Hasten 
 ing down stairs, he found that Mrs. Fail-field had just 
 admitted Mr. Hatch and the constable, who were at 
 tended by Levi. 
 
 When the party at the office separated, Mr. Hatch 
 had gone directly to Mr. Gayles's house. He was a 
 little anxious about the boat, and wished to settle 
 the question in regard to the present ownership of 
 The Starry Flag. He told Levi that he had given 
 up the money which Ruel had identified as his own.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 167 
 
 " But, Levi, you have the bill of sale of the boat," 
 he added. 
 
 "I won't keep it, Mr. Hatch; I'll give it back to 
 you," said Levi. "I suppose, as things have turned 
 out, The Starry Flag don't belong to me any 
 longer." 
 
 "Well, I've given back the money, and I think I 
 ought to have the boat again." 
 
 " You can take her, sir," replied Levi, sadly. " She 
 Jies in the cove; or, if you wish, I'll sail her back to 
 Gloucester for you." 
 
 "Well, I don't know," added Mr. Hatch, scratch 
 ing his head violently in his perplexity. "Bad as 
 matters look, some how or other, I can't help think 
 ing things will come out right in the end." 
 
 "I know they will; but I don't see that I am 
 likely to have the boat; arid you may as well take 
 her now as at any other time," answered Levi, 
 gloomily for the bright visions of owning and 
 sailing the beautiful boat had passed away. "I 
 believe my uncle stole that money, and laid it to 
 me. I'm pretty certain he changed the bills when 
 you let him have them this morning."
 
 168 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Then, of course, he has thos"e you paid to Mr. 
 Hatch," said the constable. 
 
 "I'm almost sure he has." 
 
 "Do you know them, Levi?" 
 
 "I'll bet I do! I studied them well," replied the 
 young fisherman, eagerly. "All three of them were 
 on the same bank, and they were new and stiff." 
 
 "Those I had in court were on three different 
 banks, but one of them was a new one," added the 
 constable. 
 
 "Yes; and that new one was on the same bank 
 as mine the Continental National Bank, Boston. I 
 saw it when Ruel looked at them. I'll bet the hun 
 dred-dollar bill was the one paid by Mr. Watson to 
 Dock Vincent." 
 
 " I've a great mind to get out a search warrant, 
 and see what money the old skinflint has on hand," 
 continued Mr. Gayles. 
 
 Mr. Hatch thought he would be willing to show 
 his money, if everything was right with him, and thus 
 remove all suspicion against him. 
 
 "We can go down and see him, at any rate," 
 he added.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 1G9 
 
 "I will go with you, for I want to show you 
 ivhere The Stary Flag lies," said Levi. 
 
 "About the boat, I don't know as I'll take her 
 round with me, Levi. On the whole, I guess I 
 won't," continued Mr. Hatch; "I can't help think 
 ing that things will come out right." 
 
 " I know they will, Mr. Hatch," answered Levi, 
 decidedly; for however dark the prospect looked, he 
 did not at any time lose his faith in the future. 
 
 "I'll tell you what I'll do, Levi," continued Mr. 
 Hatch ; " I'll leave the boat in your care till this 
 business is settled up. You will use her carefully; 
 and Mr. Gayles can have an eye to her, if there's 
 any trouble." 
 
 "Thank you, sir! I'm very much obliged to you, 
 Mr. Hatch. I'd like to use her; but I don't much 
 think I shall ever own her now," said Levi: "uncle 
 Nathan has got the money I ought to pay for her." 
 
 "Mr. Watson must come here in a few days," 
 added Mr. Gayles. "Now we will go and see what 
 we can make of Mr. Fair-field." 
 
 The party arrived at the house of the miser, after 
 paying a visit to The Starry Flag at the cove. 
 15
 
 170 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 They were ushered into the kitchen by Mrs. Fair- 
 field. 
 
 "Massy sakes! Where hev you been, Nathan?" 
 cried the matron, as her husband, begrimed from 
 head to foot with dust, ashes, and soot, presented 
 himself at the door. "What on airth hev you 
 been doin ? " 
 
 "I hain't been doin nothin," replied Mr. Fairfield, 
 to whom his wife's words sounded like an accusation. 
 
 He had evidently rubbed his hand across his face, 
 after it was thoroughly " smooched " with soot, and 
 he looked very much like the driver of a charcoal 
 cart. The visitors, in spite of the seriousness of the 
 occasion, could not restrain their laughter. Mr. Fair> 
 field tried to laugh, making a very painful effort to 
 do so, which caused him to look all the more 
 comical. 
 
 "What hev you been doin?" repeated his wife. 
 
 "I've been fixin that chimbly that blowed over 
 last night," replied Mr. Fairfield, finding it necessary 
 to explain his sooty aspect. 
 
 "With your best clothes on, Nathan Fairfield!" 
 exclaimed his careful spouse.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE AITS. 171 
 
 "I didn't think of that," he replied, now aston 
 ished at his own recklessness in the use of his best 
 clothes. 
 
 Mr. Gayles then explained that, in order to re- 
 move all suspicion, Mr. Fairfield had better exhibit 
 what money he had on hand. 
 
 " Sartin ; I'm glad you've come. I'll show you 
 every dollar of money I've got in the house," re 
 plied the miser, with sudden energy, as he took 
 out his pocket-book, and handed it to the officer. 
 
 Of course the bills which Mr. Watson had paid to 
 Levi were not to be found in his pocket-book, or in 
 the bureau, where he kept his spare funds. 
 
 "I hope you are satisfied now," said Mr. Fair- 
 field, in a tone as triumphant as the speaker could 
 make it. 
 
 " The bills don't seem to be about you, or in your 
 bureau," replied Mr. Gayles. 
 
 "I think we had better look into that chimney," 
 suggested Levi. 
 
 Mr. Fairfield turned pale, and the black " smooches " 
 on his face looked blacker than before by the con 
 trast.
 
 172 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 LEVI EXPLORES THE CHIMNEY. 
 
 MR. F AIRFIELD was appalled when Levi sug 
 gested that the chimney should be examined. 
 He was very certain that his ward had stolen the 
 wallet and hidden it, and Levi was just as certain 
 that his uncle was guilty of the crime. To the 
 guardian it made but little difference who stole the 
 money, for if the wallet were found in the chimney, 
 it would be lost to him when the storm had blown 
 over. 
 
 " What do you want to look into the chimbly 
 for?" demanded he, when the constable exhibited 
 a readiness to adopt Levi's suggestion. 
 
 " We may find the money there," replied Mr. 
 G-ayles. 
 
 " I begin to see into this business a little grain," 
 added Mr. Fairfield ; " and I ain't a goin to hav
 
 THK YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 173 
 
 you ransackin my house for notliin. Have you got 
 a sarch- warrant ? " 
 
 " No ; I have not," answered the officer of the law. 
 
 " Then you can't go no further," said the miser, 
 decidedly ; for he knew very well that the search 
 in the chimney would be sure to involve him in 
 trouble. 
 
 " I will procure a search-warrant, if you are not 
 willing I should make the examination without one." 
 
 "Well, I ain't willin." 
 
 " If you are an innocent man, Mr. Fairfield, I sup 
 pose the search would do you more good than harm. 
 It's a fact that about one half the people in town 
 believe you stole Ruel's money." 
 
 " They no business to think so," protested the 
 miser. " I'm an innocent man. Do you think I'd 
 steal my brother-in-law's money ? " 
 
 "You can see through a mill-stone when there's a 
 hole in it, Mr. Fairfield." 
 
 " I reckon I can ; and I see through this mill 
 stone, too. You've got that boy ; and you don't 
 know as well as I do what a bad boy he is. He 
 stole that money don't tell me I know he did 
 15*
 
 174 THE STAREY FLAG, OB 
 
 Now he wants to look up chimbly don't he ? 
 What does all that mean ? He stole the money, 
 and he hid it somewhere in the chimbly, for's all I 
 know. Now he wants to let you find it, and make 
 it out that I hid it. He's a bad boy, and it don't 
 look right for you to hear to him, and not mind a 
 word that I say," continued Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 " Uncle Nathan, I'd like to know what you've 
 been poking in the chimney for, the first thing after 
 the court, with your best clothes on ? " inquired Levi, 
 in a very pointed manner. 
 
 "Don't I tell you the top of the chimbly blowed 
 in last night in the squall, and I've been fixin it?" 
 snarled the uncle. " Mr. Gayles, that boy said I 
 stole the money ; yes, he said so in the court, and 
 I'm goin to make him prove it." 
 
 " I think I can prove it before we get through 
 with this business," said Levi. 
 
 u Well, you ain't goin pokin about my house no 
 more, not without you have a sarch-warrant," added 
 uncle Nathan, very decidedly. 
 
 " Don't you think you had better let Mr. Gayles 
 look up that chimney?" interposed Mr Hatch.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 175 
 
 " I don't think no such thing, and I ain't agoin to 
 do it." 
 
 "Just as you say, Mr. Fairfield." 
 
 " I know it's just as I say. Levi stole the money, 
 and hid it. If he's a mind to confess that he stole 
 it, and says it is in the chimbly, I'm willing to let 
 you look there." 
 
 " I didn't steal the money, and I didn't hide it, 
 and I'm not going to confess it," said Levi, emphati 
 cally. 
 
 Mr. Fairfield positively refused to permit the chim 
 ney to be searched, unless the officer was armed 
 with the proper authority to do so, and the party 
 left the house to procure the warrant ; but Levi 
 determined to remain near the house, and observe 
 the movements of his uncle, who was not the man 
 to spoil his best clothes by exploring the interior of 
 a chimney, unless for some extraordinary reason. He 
 was quite sure that Mr. Fairfield had changed the 
 bills which Mr. Hatch showed him, and he_ was 
 equally confident that the two hundred and fifty 
 dollars paid him by Mr. Watson was somewhere in 
 the house. His uncle's sooty appearance suggested
 
 176 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 the hiding-place ; and, warrant or no warrant, lie 
 was determined to discover whether or not the 
 money was hidden in the chimney. Without inform 
 ing Mr. Gayles of his purpose, he returned to his 
 uncle's house. 
 
 " What do you want now ? " demanded uncle Na 
 than, as he entered the kitchen. 
 
 " I want my old clothes," replied Levi ; " I'm 
 going a fishing." 
 
 " You ain't goin up stairs, no how," interposed 
 Mr. Fair field. " You villain, you ! You want to 
 make it out that I stole the money do you ? 
 You've hid it somewhere, and you want to put it in 
 a place where the constable . will find it, and lay it 
 to me. I know you, you villain, you ! " 
 
 " I want my old clothes." 
 
 " Git 'em for him, wife. If he put that money in 
 the chimbly, I mean to have the officer find it just 
 where he put it. I ain't a goin to have things 
 fixed so as to git me into trouble." 
 
 Mrs. Fairfield brought the old clothes down from 
 the chamber, and Levi went into the wood-shed to 
 change his dress. It was clear that his uncle would
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 177 
 
 not permit him to enter his own room, and he was 
 very anxious to examine the interior of the chimney 
 before his guardian had an opportunity to remove 
 the stolen wallet. When he had put on his old 
 clothes, he went out doors, and looked up at the 
 broken chimney top. He was a " born sailor," nimble 
 as a cat, and dizzy heights had no terrors for him. 
 Springing to the roof of the shed first, and then to 
 the top of the house, whose half-decayed shingles 
 rattled and snapped beneath his feet, he reached the 
 top of the chimney. It was spacious enough even 
 at the outlet to permit his passage down. 
 
 Bracing his knees against the sides, and using such 
 projecting bricks as afforded him a foothold, he grad 
 ually descended the flue till he reached the fireplace 
 in his own chamber. Removing the fireboard so as 
 to give him more light, he carefully examined the 
 inside of the chimney ; but the wallet was not to be 
 found. 
 
 While he was changing his clothes in the wood 
 shed, Mr. Fairfield had removed it again, and con 
 cealed it in another place. The miser had promptly 
 concluded that the finding of the wallet in its
 
 178 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 original hiding-place would be of more damage to 
 him than it would to Levi, especially as he had been 
 seen, so soon after the examination, covered with 
 soot. 
 
 Levi was disappointed. His uncle had outwitted 
 him, though of course the young man did not know 
 it. He was reasonably certain that his guardian had 
 the money, but he could prove nothing. He re 
 turned through the flue to the roof of the house, and 
 made his way down to the solid earth again. It is 
 quite probable that his uncle knew what he was 
 about, but he said nothing. 
 
 Squire Saunders declined to issue a search-warrant 
 for the purpose indicated by Mr. Gayles. The law 
 requires that the object to be searched for, shall be 
 particularly designated. The bills which Ruel Belcher 
 had lost had been identified and restored to the 
 owner ; and it did not appear that any other bills 
 had been lost. Nothing could be done, therefore, 
 but wait for the time to which the examination of 
 Levi had been postponed. On the following day 
 Mr. Gayles went to Boston, and found Mr. Watson, 
 who was deeply interested in the welfare of the
 
 THE TOtJNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 179 
 
 young fisherman, and promised to be present at the 
 examination. 
 
 " I would go down to Rockport and stay two or 
 three weeks, if there was a decent place to bathe," 
 said Mr. Watson, as the constable was leaving bis 
 counting-room. 
 
 " There isn't a better place on the coast," replied 
 Mr. Gayles, emphatically. 
 
 " I won't trust my daughter on those rocks again. 
 She is so fond of the salt water, that she must be 
 in it, if she is near the shore." 
 
 " There isn't a better place in the world than 
 Back Beach, in our town," added Mr. Gayles. 
 
 " But that is a mile from Pigeon Cove." 
 
 " Well, you can board down in the village, within 
 a stone's throw of the beach. Mr. Babson has two 
 nice rooms in a new house, and his folks will take 
 first-rate care of you." 
 
 Mr. Watson liked the idea, and instructed the con 
 stable to 'engage the rooms for him, and fit up a 
 bathing-room on Back Beach for the use of his 
 family. On the Saturday afternoon following, he took 
 possession of his apartments at Mr. Bab son's. Two
 
 180 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 little rooms under the public hall, which extended 
 nearly down to high-water mark, had been fitted uji 
 for dressing-rooms, and before evening Bessie Watson 
 and her father were again floundering in the brine. 
 The little water-nymph was delighted with the place, 
 the beach was so hard, the water so clear, and the 
 billows so long and gentle. 
 
 While the little maiden and her father were sport 
 ing in the waves, The Starry Flag, with all sail 
 spread to the gentle breeze, glided up as near to the 
 shore as the depth of \^ater would permit. Levi 
 lived in the boat now. He would not go to his 
 uncle's house, and had slept two nights in the cuddy 
 forward. Mr. Watson and his daughter were ex- 
 Dected, and he had run down to see them. When 
 they came out of the water, he took them on board 
 at Old Pier. 
 
 "Levi, I'm glad to see you," said Mr. Watson, as 
 he stepped into the boat ; " and Bessie thinks you 
 are a hero of the first water." 
 
 " Salt water, father," laughed Bessie. 
 
 " Thank you, sir. I would have given more to see
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 181 
 
 you last Thursday than any other man in the world," 
 replied Levi. 
 
 " I'm sorry you have had so much trouble, Levi, 
 about this boat," added Mr. Watson. " But I see 
 you keep The Starry Flag." 
 
 "The owner lent her to me. I gave him bad 
 the bill of sale. I don't own her now." 
 
 "But you shall own her, if she costs me a thou 
 sand dollars. Mr. Gayles told me about this affair. 
 Do you really think your uncle changed the bills 
 when Mr. Hatch let him look at them ? " 
 " I know very well that I paid Mr. Hatch the 
 money you lent me. I didn't steal Ruel's wallet, 
 and there is only one other person that could have 
 done it." 
 
 " You mean your uncle." 
 
 " Yes, sir ; he has never treated me well, and he 
 wants to break me down. I believe he has the bills 
 now which you gave me, and I mean to keep watch 
 of him till I find them." 
 
 "Be prudent, Levi, and it will come out right," 
 added Mr. Watson. 
 
 The Starry Flag stood out as far as Half Tide 
 16
 
 182 THE STABRY FLAG, OK 
 
 Rock, and then returned. The merchant and his 
 daughter were delighted with the boat, and prom 
 ised themselves much pleasure in sailing and fishing 
 in her. 
 
 " There comes the Griffin," said Levi, as the Flag 
 was approaching the Old Pier. 
 
 "What's the Griffin?" 
 
 " She is Dock Vincent's schooner. He is the man 
 who picked you up the other day." 
 
 The Griffin came to anchor, and Levi, as he landed 
 his passengers, could not help thinking about her 
 skipper's " little plan," and wondering whether the 
 present visit of the merchant and his daughter would 
 not bring trouble to one or the other of them.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 183 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 ON MIKE'S POINT. 
 
 MR. FAIRFIELD was the most miserable man 
 on Cape Ann. Even the absence of Levi, 
 though it saved the provisions necessary to satisfy 
 the voracious appetite of a boy of fifteen, worried 
 him intensely. He could not help believing that the 
 young fisherman, during this time, was plotting and 
 conspiring against him; that he was setting awful 
 traps, into which, with all his shrewdness and world- 
 ly policy, he might fall, losing his reputation, and, 
 what was worse, his money. He wished the boy 
 would stay at home, or at least come home nights, 
 so that he could keep the run of him. 
 
 The miser had changed the bills handed to him 
 by the boat-builder he knew what others only 
 suspected. He was fearful that he had slightly over 
 done his part, and that in his efforts to cover up the
 
 184 THE STAERY FLAG, OB 
 
 wrong which he had actually committed, he should 
 prove himself to be guilty of what he had not done. 
 
 But his chances were still good, in his own esti- 
 niation, harassed though he was by doubts and 
 fears. It could not be proved that he changed 
 the bills. Mr. Watson might swear that he had 
 given Levi the money to buy the boat, but that 
 would not prove that he had not stolen Ruel's 
 money. If worse came to worst, and he found 
 himself compelled to sacrifice the two hundred and 
 fifty dollars, he could place the wallet in a locker in 
 The Starry Flag, or in some other place, which 
 Would fasten the guilt upon the boy. The case 
 was by no means hopeless, though it did not work 
 as well as the miser had hoped and expected. 
 
 Levi had a powerful friend in Mr. Watson. He 
 was a man of wealth and influence, and this fact 
 troubled Mr. Fairfield. The accused would be ably 
 defended at the examination, which was yet to take 
 place. Probably there would be smart lawyers em 
 ployed, who would indulge in ugly cross-examinations, 
 and dig down into the deepest depths of human 
 nature. It gave him a cold sweat to think of the
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 185 
 
 awkward questions he would be asked, and of the 
 efforts which would be made to induce him to con 
 tradict himself. But if the case looked desperate on 
 the day before the examination, he could easily 
 change the whole aspect of it by carrying out the 
 policy he had adopted when he found the wallet in 
 the chimney. Mr. Fail-field still believed that Levi 
 would be committed for trial, and that he should be 
 able to keep the money himself. 
 
 Dock Vincent had delivered his cargo of fish in 
 Boston, and returned to Rockport, where he expected 
 to obtain another freight the following week. As 
 Levi left Old Pier, after landing his passengers, he 
 passed near the Griffin. He was sorry to see Dock 
 come back, now that Mr. Watson had returned. He 
 was afraid the grasping villain would make a demand 
 upon the merchant for a larger reward, and perhaps 
 mention his name. Dock was a mean man, and capa 
 ble of doing very mean things. As the Flag stood 
 away from the shore, Levi almost made up his mind 
 to say something to Mr. Watson about the "little 
 plan," and put him on his guard against the extor 
 tion of the wretch ; but, as it might look like a hint, 
 16*
 
 186 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 or at least open the question as to whether the mer 
 chant had sufficiently rewarded those who saved his 
 daughter and himself, he decided to say nothing about 
 the matter. 
 
 Levi stood out from, the shore to the deep water, 
 where his boat could float at low tide, and came to 
 anchor there. After furling his sails, it was nearly 
 dark, and he concluded to " pipe to supper." He had 
 laid in a stock of provisions, consisting of a small 
 boiled ham, bread, cakes, and pies. He had no facil 
 ities for making tea or coffee, though he had heard 
 of an apparatus for making coffee with a spirit lamp, 
 which he intended to procure ; but he had a breaker 
 of water on board, with whose contents he was sat 
 isfied for the present. 
 
 The young fisherman, without being an epicure, 
 was very fond of good living; and certainly his fare 
 on board the boat was much better than that to 
 
 r 
 
 which he had been accustomed at the house of his 
 miserly uncle; and, what filled the measure of his 
 satisfaction, there was plenty of it. Levi supped like 
 a prince, and having cleared away his table, which 
 was a swinging board in the cuddy,- .he sat for an
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 187 
 
 hour watching the undulating sea as The Starry 
 Flag gently rose and fell on the long, regular bil 
 lows, and listening to their dull roar as they broke 
 upon the beaches and the rocks. 
 
 Then he thought of the coming examination, of 
 the triumph which awaited him when Mr. Watson 
 gave his evidence, for he believed that he would fully 
 establish his innocence. The darkness gathered around 
 him, and it was time to pipe below. He had not 
 yet purchased the mattresses for the bunks of his 
 boat, but he had made up a bed of old clothes in 
 one of them, using the tattered sail of the dingy 
 dory for a covering. If he ate like a prince, he slept 
 better than princes are traditionally said to sleep, for 
 he did not wake till daylight. 
 
 It was Sunday, and, as he had procured all his clothes 
 from his uncle's, he dressed himself in his best, after 
 he had washed down the boat and put her in order. 
 He had declined an offer of ten dollars to take a 
 party out to the fishing-grounds on that day, and 
 running in at Old Pier, he went to church and to 
 Sunday school as usual. 
 
 The next morning he went after dog-fish, and pro-
 
 188 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 cured a full cargo, whose livers added ten dollars U. 
 the funds in his exchequer. By three o'clock in the 
 afternoon he had sold his fare to Mr. Gayles, and 
 washed up the boat, so that she was as clean and 
 sweet as a lady's barge. He intended to devote the 
 rest of the day to a pleasure-trip to Thatcher's Island. 
 The occasion was to be complimentary to Bessie 
 Watson. He had spoken of the trip on Saturday 
 night, and Mr. Watson had consented, for he had 
 perfect confidence in Levi's prudence, as well as his 
 seamanship. Mrs. Watson had been invited, but she 
 was always so sick that sailing parties afforded her 
 no pleasure, and she declined to go. In order to 
 make the occasion more agreeable to Bessie, Levi 
 had invited Estelle Haskell, Annie Rowe, Jenny 
 Robarts, John Marshall, and Charley Manning, to 
 join the party. 
 
 Levi always did " the handsome thing ; " and though 
 it was, perhaps, rather extravagant, he expended three 
 dollars and a half in the purchase of the nicest cake 
 the confectioners made, and in fruit and iced lemon 
 ade. All the party except Bessie Watson were at 
 Old Pier, the place appointed, at four o'clock. But
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPB ANN. 189 
 
 where was the bright, particular star of the occasion ? 
 She did not come. Charley Manning volunteered to 
 go up to Mr. Babson's and inform her that the com 
 pany were waiting for her. 
 
 " She has gone clown to Central Wharf," said 
 Charley, when he returned, breathless with the 
 haste he had used. "She thought that was the 
 place where we were to go on board." 
 
 "All right: there is a good breeze, and we can 
 run round there in fifteen minutes," replied Levi, as 
 he cast off from the wharf, and hoisted the jib. 
 
 "But she may get tired of waiting," said Jenny- 
 Robarts; "she must have been there half an hour 
 now." 
 
 "There is Charley Parsons on the wharf; he will 
 run over and tell her to wait till we come," suggested 
 Estelle. 
 
 Charley Parsons was a good fellow, and readily 
 promised to do Levi this fa^ or, especially as he was 
 invited to join the party. The Starry Flag stood 
 out of the dock, and as the wind was west, he was 
 obliged to stand over towards Knowlton's Wharf, in 
 order to get a "slant" which would carry him clear
 
 190 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 of the high wall that protected the docks from storms. 
 This course carried him close to the Griffin, which 
 still lay at anchor in the bay. As The Starry Flag 
 passed her, Levi saw Dock Vincent put off from her 
 in a boat, and pull towards Mike's Point. There 
 was plenty of wind, though it was not heavy enough 
 to make the proposed trip uncomfortable, and tho 
 Flag soon disappeared beyond the high wall. 
 
 Charley Parsons, who had been commissioned to 
 see Bessie, was a good boy; and as he had been 
 invited to go with the party, he thought it proper 
 on his way to run home and tell his mother thnt 
 he was going. When he reached Central Wharf, 
 where he expected to find Bessie, she was not 
 there. 
 
 The fair young lady from, the city was very fond 
 of the salt water, as we have already more than 
 hinted, and she was especially delighted with sail 
 ing. With childish impatience she had hastened to 
 the wharf at which she had understood the party 
 was to embark, half an hour before the appointed 
 time. She had nearly exhausted her patience when 
 she heard the clock strike four. The Starry Flag
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 191 
 
 was not at the wharf, and was not to be seen inside 
 of the breakwater. Then she inquired of a man who 
 was packing fish where she was. He had just seen 
 the Flag at Old Pier, and he told her so. 
 
 Satisfied that some mistake had been made, she 
 hastened to the wharf indicated, and reached the 
 head of the pier just in time to see the boat stand 
 ing over towards Knowlton's Wharf. Believing that 
 she could hail her from Mike's Point, she ran with 
 all her might, and did not stop to breathe till she 
 stood on the jagged rocks which formed the head 
 land. But The Starry Flag had gone about on the 
 other tack, and was now half way over to the great 
 breakwater. Charley Parsons had missed Bessie by 
 going to his home before he delivered his message. 
 
 Just as Bessie reached the rocks on Mike's Point, 
 Dock Vincent landed from his boat, and making his 
 way up to the place where she stood, immediately 
 recognized her. 
 
 "Ah, Miss Bessie," said he. 
 
 " O, Mr. Dock, I am so tired and so disappointed 1 " 
 gasped she, exhausted with running. 
 
 "Why, what is the matter, miss?"
 
 192 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 Bessie explained what the matter was. 
 
 "O, well, if that is all, Miss Bessie, I can soon 
 make it all right," replied Dock. 
 
 There was something about the skipper of the 
 Griffin that the little maiden did not like. He was 
 an evil-looking man, and though he had rendered 
 her father and herself a great service, she did not 
 feel like trusting him, and she instinctively shrank 
 from him. 
 
 " What can you do for me ? " she asked, timidly. 
 
 " Get into my boat, and I will pull off and put 
 you on board of The Starry Flag," answered Dock. 
 
 "But you can't catch her." 
 
 "She will come about in a moment, and stand 
 over this way again." 
 
 "I think I will wait here, then," added she, for 
 she had not the courage to go in a boat with such 
 an evil man; and the instinct of self-preservation 
 seemed to require her to refuse the instinct which 
 Heaven gives to the virtuous and the innocent. 
 
 Dock tried to persuade her, but she was timidly 
 firm, and refused to go. 
 
 "I won't hurt you," said he, rather rudely.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 193 
 
 "I think I will wait here, Mr. Dock." 
 
 " I think you won't," said he, suddenly laying hold 
 of her, and taking her up in his arms like a child. 
 
 Bessie tried to scream, but her voice failed her. 
 She attempted to escape, but Dock was a powerful 
 man, and held Tier as easily as he would have held 
 a baby, and bore her down the rocks towards hia 
 boat. 
 
 This was part of his " little plan." 
 IT
 
 194 TliK STABBY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER XVIL 
 
 THE EVIL MAN. 
 
 > ESSIE WATSON was paralyzed with terror 
 at the violence of the evil man. She found 
 it impossible to struggle, or even to utter a scream. 
 The rocks were rough, and the passage to the water 
 difficult and dangerous ; but Dock threaded his way 
 in safety over the slippery boulders to the boat, in 
 the stern-sheets of which he deposited his burden. 
 
 " Don't be frightened, Miss Bessie," said he, in 
 tones as soothing as his rough nature could com 
 mand. " I won't hurt you if you keep still and 
 behave yourself." 
 
 "Let me go do, Mr. Dock," pleaded she, when 
 she could find voice for utterance. 
 
 " Keep still where you be, and I won't hurt you," 
 replied Dock, as he hauled in the painter, and 
 pushed off the boat.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 195 
 
 " What are you going to do with me, Mr. Dock ? " 
 " No matter now what I'm going to do. After 
 
 I've done as much for anybody as I have for you, I 
 
 don't like to be insulted." 
 
 "Insulted! O, Mr. Dock, what have I done?" 
 
 moaned Bessie, alarmed by the words of her terrible 
 
 captor. 
 
 " You wouldn't trust me, even after I have saved 
 
 your life, and your father's, too. I offered to put 
 
 you on board of The Starry Flag, and you wouldn't 
 
 let me do it. That was an insult." 
 
 " I didn't mean it, Mr. Dock indeed I didn't ! " 
 "No matter what you meant; you insulted me. I 
 
 won't hurt you if you keep still and mind what I 
 
 say. But if you attempt to holler, or make any 
 
 signs, I'll stuff my handkerchief in your mouth, and 
 
 tie you hand and foot." 
 
 "You will not be so cruel, Mr. Dock. I am 
 
 frightened almost to death. Do let me go back to 
 
 my mother." 
 
 " Don't whine ; I tell you I won't hurt you." 
 " But what are you going to do with me ? " 
 "I'm only going to put you on board of The
 
 196 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 Starry Flag, with Levi. Now, shut up, and don't 
 say another word," answered Dock, shipping his oars, 
 and pulling the boat round. 
 
 Bessie hoped the evil man would do what he said 
 he would, but her fears were stronger than her 
 hopes ; and, as she sat in the boat, her delicate 
 frame trembled. Dock pulled towards the Griffin, 
 and as the bout receded from the shore, Bessie dis 
 covered The Starry Flag beyond the high wall, by 
 Old Pier. 
 
 " You irill put me into The Starry Flag won'' 
 you ? " said she, rising from her seat, and watching 
 the beautiful sail-boat, as she glided swiftly on her 
 course. 
 
 " Of course I will. Sit down and keep still," re 
 plied Dock, gruffly. 
 
 " I will be ever so much obliged to you if you 
 will ; and I will do anything for you ! " exclaimed 
 Bessie, earnestly. 
 
 " You are very willing to trust me now," sneered 
 Dock. 
 
 " I will trust you now, Mr. Dock. I didn't mean 
 any harm, and I wouldn't insult you for all the world."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 197 
 
 "Perhaps you wouldn't now." 
 
 In a few moments the boat was within hail of 
 the Griffin, on whose deck were two men watching 
 them. 
 
 " Shake out the mainsail, and hoist it ! " shouted 
 Dock to his little crew. 
 
 " What are you going to do ? " asked Bessie, terri 
 fied anew by this ominous order. 
 
 " I am going round to Gloucester to-night," he 
 replied. 
 
 " But you were going ashore when you met me." 
 
 " I have changed my mind." 
 
 "And you are not rowing towards The Starry 
 Flag now," added the fair prisoner, beginning to lose 
 all hope again. 
 
 " I can't catch the sail-boat with a pair of oars," 
 answered Dock, as the boat came up alongside the 
 Griffin. " Now, jump aboard my vessel." 
 
 "I don't want to," pleaded Bessie. 
 
 "It don't make any difference whether you want 
 to or not you will. Come, be lively ! " 
 
 " You will put me on board of The Starry Flag 
 won't you, Mr. Dock?" 
 17*
 
 198 THE STAKBY FLAG, OB 
 
 " Of course I will. Don't I tell you I'm going 
 round to Gloucester? I'll run in by the breakwater, 
 and hail the Flag. What are you afraid of?" 
 
 Bessie could hardly tell what she was afraid of! 
 Dock Vincent's plan certainly seemed to be a good 
 one, and he appeared to be carrying it out in good 
 faith. Her common sense assured her that it would 
 be impossible to overtake a swift-sailing craft, like 
 The Starry Flag, in a row-boat. But though it all 
 looked right, and Dock promised fairly, the tones 
 and the manner of the evil man were all against 
 him, and, try as hard as she could to trust him, she 
 found it utterly impossible to do so. 
 
 "Come, I'll help you on board," said the skipper, 
 as he took her by the arm, and led her to the 
 vessel's side. 
 
 His touch, in spite of herself, seemed to thrill her 
 with horror. He was a terrible man to her, but she 
 could not resist him. With Dock's assistance, she 
 climbed over the rail, and reached the deck of the 
 schooner, whither she was followed by her captor, 
 when he had secured the boat. 
 
 " Now, you may go down into the cabin, and stay
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 199 
 
 there till I call you," continued Dock, pointing to 
 the companion-way. 
 
 " I don't want to go down ; I'll stay on deck, if 
 you please," replied Bessie. 
 
 M But I don't please, and you must go down into 
 the cabin," added the skipper, rudely. "You are in 
 the way on deck, and if you should get knocked 
 overboard by the swinging of a boom, what would 
 your father say to me ? " 
 
 " O, I will be very careful, Mr. Dock ; and really 
 there is no danger of my being knocked overboard. 
 Don't make me go into the cabin, if you please. I like 
 to look at the water, and the waves, and the vessels." 
 
 " I don't want to put my hands on you again, but 
 if you don't go below I shall have to do so." 
 
 Bessie looked up into his ugly face. There was 
 an expression of firmness so dark and malignant 
 upon it that she dared not disobey him. Slowly she 
 descended the steep ladder into the gloomy cabin, 
 and she felt as though she were going down into 
 the damp and awful tomb. It was not the clean 
 and tidy cabin which may be found on board our 
 trim packets ; but it was dirty, the furniture was
 
 HOO THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 broken and disorderly, and a vile odor haunted th 
 place the combined effluvia of bilge water, greasy 
 cooking, and mouldy woollens. 
 
 She seated herself on a locker before one of the 
 bunks, which, in place of a berth-sack, was furnished 
 with old coats and ragged garments covered with 
 slush and dirt. To a young lady brought up amid 
 the refinements of wealth and taste, it was a loath 
 some hole, and Bessie sighed for the pure, fresh air 
 of the open deck. By this time the men had re 
 moved the stops from the mainsail, and the sail was 
 hoisted. The canvas was thus removed from a sky 
 light in the deck, and the sun shed his bright rays 
 down into the gloomy cabin, removing some of its 
 sombre aspect, but revealing more clearly the filth 
 and disorder of the place. 
 
 Then the poor girl, sick at heart, and made nearly 
 BO at a less poetical organ by the vile odors of her 
 floating tomb, heard the rattling of the chain cable 
 as the anchor was hoisted. She looked up the 
 companion-way, and saw the jib fly up on its stay, 
 and the vessel swing round to her course. The 
 rudder creaked, the sehooner heeled over, and she
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 201 
 
 heard the waves rippling under the counter. The 
 Griffin was in motion, and a few minutes would 
 decide whether Dock Vincent intended to put her 
 on board The Starry Flag or not. It was a moment 
 of terrible anxiety to her. 
 
 She could not think of any possible reason why 
 Dock Vincent should wish to keep her on board of 
 his vessel. She could not see what he was to gain 
 by it. But, pure, innocent maiden, she had no sus 
 picion of the wickedness which lurks in some men's 
 hearts. She had read, but never realized, that some 
 will sell their souls for the gold which perishes in 
 the using. She could not believe that Dock meant 
 any harm to her, or even that he meant to detain 
 her on board beyond a few hours. 
 
 The Griffin rose and fell on the long billows, as 
 she sped on her way, whither Bessie knew not, 
 though she still hoped that she should be delivered 
 over to the charge of the gallant Levi, in whom she 
 had almost as much confidence as in her own father; 
 for his mild eye, his gentle bearing, and his noble 
 conduct, invited her admiration, and assured her she 
 might trust him.
 
 202 THE STARRY FLAG, OE 
 
 The moments were long and heavy to her. Sh 
 glanced at her watch, and found that it was five 
 o'clock. She could not tell which way the vessel 
 was sailing, nor where she was. Dock did not come 
 near her again, though she occasionally heard his 
 voice over her head, as he stood at the helm and 
 gave his orders to the men on the forecastle. She 
 wanted to go on deck, but she dared not do so, for 
 she feared the act would bring the frowns and the 
 abuse of the evil man upon her. 
 
 The main cabin of the Griffin had four berths, 
 only two of which appeared to be used by the men, 
 the other two being occupied as places for storage. 
 Bessie had already discovered two doors at the after 
 part of the cabin. She ventured to open one of 
 these, and found a diminutive state-room, in which 
 was one of the stern windows of the vessel. Eagerly 
 she looked out upon the heaving sea, to obtain some 
 intelligence which would indicate the fate in store 
 for her; and hope almost deserted her sinking heart 
 when she found that the Griffin was headed from 
 the land, at least two miles off. She could see the 
 high wall or breakwater which protected Old Pier.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAX OF CAPB ANK. 203 
 
 Off in another direction she could see Straitsmouth 
 Light, which Levi had pointed out to her when she 
 was sailing with him on Saturday afternoon. She 
 knew that The Starry Flag, in going to Thatcher's 
 Island, the destination of the pleasure party, must 
 pass very near to this light-house. It was absolutely 
 certain, therefore, that Dock Vincent did not mean 
 to keep his promise. 
 
 She threw herself on a bench in the little state, 
 loom, which was hardly high enough to permit her 
 to stand up, and wept as though her heart would 
 break. The tears which had refused to flow before 
 came freely now. Then she knelt down and said all 
 the prayers she had ever learned from her mother's 
 lips. They afforded her some comfort ; but the 
 future was so big and black with terrors that no 
 peace came even from prayer, though her heart was 
 strengthened by her devotions. 
 
 While she was still gazing at the distant land, 
 she heard the step of Dock Vincent on the cabin 
 ladder. Fearing that he would abuse her for pre 
 suming to enter the state-room, she hastily returned 
 to the cabin, closing the door behind her.
 
 204 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " O, Mr. Dock ! " cried she, as he stepped down 
 upon the cabin floor. 
 
 "Well, what's the matter now?" demanded he, 
 with brutal coarseness. 
 
 "Will you tell me what you are going to do witli 
 me?" pleaded the poor girl. . 
 
 " If it makes any difference to you, I will. I'm 
 going to make some money out of you." 
 
 " If you will put me on shore again, my father 
 will give you all the money you want," sobbed 
 Bessie. 
 
 " I know he will, but not yet," sneered Dock. 
 
 " Do put me on shore ; I will give you my watch 
 if you will." 
 
 " Let me see it." 
 
 She gave him the watch and chain. 
 
 " I'll see about it," he replied, putting the watch 
 into his pocket. 
 
 The " little plan " appeared thus far to be a 
 luccess.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 205 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 THE STARRY FLAG GOES TO SEA. 
 
 ISN'T she a nice boat!" exclaimed Jenny Rob- 
 arts, as The Starry Flag bounded over the long 
 waves that rolled in from the open sea. 
 
 "Perfectly splendid!" replied Estelle. 
 
 "She is a good sea boat isn't she, Levi?" asked 
 the more practical Charley Manning. 
 
 "She is the best sea boat on the Cape. After 
 what she went through in the squall off Brace's Cove, 
 the other day, I am satisfied that she will stand any 
 thing," replied Levi, with enthusiasm. "I shouldn't 
 be afraid to cross the Atlantic in this boat." 
 
 "Cross the Atlantic!" ejaculated John Marshall. 
 
 " I mean so," added Levi, quietly. " She behaves 
 
 like a lady in a heavy sea. She don't stick her nose 
 
 into it, like a pig; but she jumps over the waves, 
 
 and don't make any fuss about it either. I don't 
 
 18
 
 206 THE STAKRT FLAG, OB 
 
 suppose she would be very comfortable to cross tha 
 ocean in; but so far as the safety is concerned, I 
 would just as lief do it as not." 
 
 "I shouldn't want to go with you," said Jenny. 
 
 "I shouldn't want to have you," replied Levi, 
 rather ungallantly. " I don't like to have girls 
 round when it blows hard." 
 
 "You would like to have Bessie Watson round 
 whether it blows or not," pouted Jenny. 
 
 " I don't think I should," continued Levi. " Whej 
 girls get wet and drabbled, they feel mean, and want 
 to go ashore." 
 
 "Bessie wouldn't, if you were in the boat, Levi," 
 interposed Estelle. " She thinks you are the great' 
 est man in the world except her father." 
 
 "Bessie is a nice little girl, and she didn't make 
 any fuss about it even when she got carried off by 
 the sea the other day; but I don't believe in any 
 girls going on the water in rough weather; it isn't 
 the place for them. Women can't vote, and they 
 ought to stay at home when it blows hard ; besides, 
 they are all the time getting seasick." 
 
 " Pooh ! men get seasick too," replied Jenny, smartly.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 207 
 
 Levi knew that some men did get seasick ; but he 
 had not much respect for such men, and he permit 
 ted the argument to go against him, for he had come 
 to some rather difficult navigation needing attention 
 at the entrance to Boat Cove. The young fisher 
 man was good for any problem in sailing a boat, 
 and the Flag was run safely through the cove to the 
 two piers, which yawned, like the half-closed jawe 
 of some gigantic monster, at the entrance to the 
 dock. 
 
 "She isn't here!" shouted Charley Parsons, from, 
 the end of Central Wharf, as the boat approached. 
 
 " Where is she ? " demanded Levi. 
 
 "A man says he told her you were at Old Pier, 
 and she has gone over there to find you." 
 
 " Run over and tell her we are here, Charley," said 
 Levi, vexed at the delay 
 
 Charley Parsons hastened away to execute his 
 commission, while Levi ran The Starry Flag into 
 the dock, and moored her at the steps on Cen 
 tral Wharf. In fifteen minutes the messenger re 
 turned, having been unable to find Bessie. 
 
 "I don't understand it," said Levi, who would ai
 
 208 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 soon have thought of going to Thatcher's Island 
 without the boat as without Bessie. 
 
 " Nor I either," replied Charley. " She wasn't on 
 the pier, or anywhere round there." 
 
 It was decided that the whole party should land 
 and go in search of Bessie. In half an hour one of 
 them reported that he had met a boy who had seen 
 Bessie going out towards Mike's Point. 
 
 "It's after five o'clock now, and it's no use to 
 think of going down to Thatcher's Island to-night," 
 said Levi, quite as much disappointed as any of his 
 party when he had reached this prudent conclusion. 
 "We must put it off till to-morrow afternoon; but 
 if you like, I will take you round to Mike's Point, 
 and see if we can find Bessie." 
 
 Of course live boys and girls could not decline this 
 invitation, and The Starry Flag cast off from the 
 steps, and ran out of the dock. When she had passed 
 the breakwater, Levi saw the Griffin, standing off to 
 the north-east; and though he wondered where she 
 was going in that direction, he did not suspect that 
 Bessie Watson was an involuntary passenger on 
 board of her. Levi ran the boat in as near to
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 209 
 
 Knowlton's Beach as the depth of water would 
 permit, then rounded Mike's Point, and skirted 
 Back Beach till he came to Old Pier, having 
 obtained a full view of the shore for half a mile, 
 without discovering Bessie. 
 
 "I can't think where she is," said Levi; and he 
 made fast the painter to the pier. " We must give 
 up the trip for to-day; but if you will all be here at 
 four o'clock to-morrow, we will go then." 
 
 With blank faces the disappointed party reluctant 
 ly landed, for it was only a partial compensation to 
 know that the excursion would take place the next 
 day. Levi, after locking up the cuddy, in which the 
 materials for the feast had been placed, landed him 
 self; for, though it was of no consequence, now that 
 the trip had been postponed, where Bessie was, he 
 was curious to know what had become of her. At 
 tended by his party, he went up to Mr. Babson's. 
 Mrs. Watson was very much surprised to learn that 
 Levi had not seen her daughter, who had not been 
 home since she left to take the excursion. Levi and 
 his companions volunteered to continue the search 
 for Bessie, as her mother appeared to be anxious 
 18*
 
 210 THE STABKY FLAG, OB 
 
 about her, though no one suspected that any harm 
 had befallen her. 
 
 At seven o'clock, when Mr. Watson returned from 
 Boston, Bessie had not been found, and anxiety 
 had given place to alarm in the mind of her fond 
 and devoted mother. The search was no longer left 
 to the girls and boys, but the constables and all the 
 available men and women were inquiring at the 
 houses, and examining all of the out of the way 
 places in the town. At nine o'clock the most 
 searching investigation assured the agonized father 
 and mother that she was not in the town. It 
 was feared that she had fallen into the water, or 
 over some rocky cliff, and it was believed that 
 her lifeless form would be found, if found at all, 
 in the water, or mangled beneath some jagged 
 steep. 
 
 The people of the town warm-hearted and tender 
 to those in sorrow and suffering were full of sym 
 pathy for Bessie's father and mother, whose cup of 
 grief seemed to be full to the brim, and everything 
 was done which the power of man could accomplish 
 to find the lost one.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 211 
 
 The meeting between Dock Vincent and Bessie 
 bad taken place on the extremity of Mike's Point, 
 behind the rocks, where no one on the shore side 
 could see them; and no person appeared to have 
 noticed the maiden in the boat as her captor con 
 veyed her to the Griffin. 
 
 At nine o'clock in the evening, after the village 
 and its surroundings had been thoroughly searched, 
 Levi went down to Old Pier, where his boat lay, 
 intending to run along the shore in her, with a faint 
 hope of obtaining some tidings of the lost one. 
 
 "Gracious!" exclaimed Levi, as he stepped upon 
 the half deck of the Flag. 
 
 This ejaculation was called forth by the thought 
 which suddenly flashed upon him that he had seen 
 the Griffin go to sea about the time Bessie so strange 
 ly disappeared. Levi sat down hi the standing room 
 to gather up his ideas. 
 
 "That's so!" said he, bringing his fist down with 
 tremendous energy upon the half deck. " I'll bet my 
 life this is some of Dock Vincent's doings! What 
 did he mean by the little plan he wanted me to 
 help him about? That's what's the matter!"
 
 212 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 Suddenly the young skipper jumped up as though 
 he had been harpooned, cast loose his sails, hoisted 
 them, and shoved off from the pier. The wind was 
 still west, and blowing a six-knot breeze. Running 
 out of the dock, he headed The Starry Flag to the 
 north-east, the direction in which the Griffin had 
 departed, and seated himself at the helm for a 
 further consideration of the circumstances of the 
 extraordinary occasion. He recalled all that he 
 could remember of what Dock had said about his 
 "little plan." He had been satisfied from the be 
 ginning that the unprincipled skipper of the Grif 
 fin intended to extort a large sum of money from 
 the father of Bessie ; but he had never suspected 
 that he meant to do so by resorting to such a 
 desperate scheme as the abduction of the little 
 maiden. 
 
 "I'll follow him to the end of the earth; and I'll 
 find him too!" said Levi, out loud, as The Starry 
 Flag dashed along on her course through the gloom 
 of the night. " I wish I had spent some of my money 
 in buying a revolver, for I shall want it now; and 
 I'd shoot him, after this, just as quick as I would a
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 213 
 
 dead cat! I wonder where he's gone to. That's 
 what I'd like to know just now. If Dock isn't a 
 fool, then the fools are all dead. He'll get his neck 
 stretched, or spend some of his life in a cage for 
 this job." 
 
 There were a compass and a lantern on board of 
 The Starry Flag, the former having been left in her 
 by Mr. Hatch, to be used in case of fog, while the 
 latter had been procured that day by Levi, to enable 
 him to read in the cuddy after dark. He was so 
 familiar with the coast that he did not need the 
 compass at present; but he placed it on the seat 
 under the tiller, and lighted the lantern to enable 
 him to see its face. 
 
 But where had Dock Vincent gone with his fair 
 prisoner? This was the all-important question to 
 Levi. It was impossible to answer it. The villain 
 hed been stupid enough to mention that he had a 
 " little plan," but he had not been fool enough to tell 
 what it was. The Griffin had gone to the north-east 
 that was all the adventurous young skipper had 
 to guide him, and for several hours he stood on in 
 that direction.
 
 214 THH STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 Levi was not proficient in the science of naviga 
 tion, but he had some valuable information on the 
 subject, entirely practical in its character. He made 
 the proper allowance for the variation of the com 
 pass, which he had learned from the skipper of a 
 fisherman. The Griffin was an old stunt-bowed craft, 
 that could not make more than four knots in a seven- 
 knot breeze, and Levi was confident that the Flag, 
 small as she was comparatively, would outsail her. 
 If he could only get on the right course, he was 
 pretty sure that he could overtake her. 
 
 When well off the land, the skipper of the Flag 
 supped on cold ham, cakes, and lemonade. He was 
 satisfied that he had undertaken a big job; but he 
 was determined to put it through. The Griflin had 
 four hours the start of him, but the sail-boat was 
 new and clean, and the chances were in her favor. 
 
 About two hours out from land, The Starry Flag 
 ran close to a large schooner laden with lumber. 
 Levi hailed her, and was informed by the man at 
 the helm that she had passed close to an old vessel 
 with a great square patch in her foresail, just at 
 dusk.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 215 
 
 "That's the Griffin!" exclaimed the delighted 
 skipper of the Flag, as he filled away again; 
 and all night long he stood on his course to the 
 north-east. 
 
 The next morning, not only Bessie Watson, but 
 Levi and The Starry Flag were missing.
 
 216 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 DOCK VINCENT'S LETTER. 
 
 BESSIE'S watch was a beautiful little gold one, 
 given to her by her father. Though she valued 
 it very highly both as a gift and for its own sake, she 
 hardly thought of her loss when Dock Vincent very 
 coolly put the watch and chain into his pocket. 
 It was worth as much as The Starry Flag had cost, 
 but no earthly goods seemed to have any value at 
 all to her then. Her terrible situation was all she 
 could think of, and she feared she should never again 
 see her father and mother. 
 
 The evil man was a constant terror to her. She 
 was afraid of him; and his ugly eye looked to her 
 like the eye of a demon. She was love, and purity, 
 laid truth; he was all that is gross, and vile, and 
 wicked. 
 
 "You will put me on shore, Mr. Dock won't
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE AXIS. 21*3 
 
 you ? I will not ask you for my watch if you will," 
 said Bessie. 
 
 " You needn't be at all alarmed, Miss Bessie ; I 
 won't hurt a hair of your head, nor let any one else 
 do so. You are just as safe here as you would be 
 in your father's house, though I suppose it isn't quite 
 so comfortable a place," replied Dock, who might 
 have felt some remorse at the grief and pain he had 
 caused in the heart of the poor girl. 
 
 "What have you done this for, Mr. Dock? Why 
 are you sailing away with me from my parents? 
 Won't you please to inform me ? Perhaps, if you will 
 tell me what you want, I can help you to get it." 
 
 "Perhaps you can," replied Dock, musing; "but 
 we won't talk about that to-night." 
 
 " Won't you tell me where you are going ? " plead 
 ed Bessie. 
 
 " I hardly know myself; but don't go to -being 
 frightened, for, I tell you again, no one shall hurt 
 you. There is one of those little state-rooms that 
 you can have all to yourself. You may go in there, 
 and lock yourself in. But you haven't had any 
 supper." 
 
 19
 
 218 THB STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 "O, I don't want any supper. If you will only 
 tell me, Mr. Dock, what you mean to do with me, 
 that is all I will ask." 
 
 "I guess we won't talk about that to-night. I'll 
 send a man down to get some supper for you, and 
 we will talk over all these things to-morrow." 
 
 Bessie could not induce the evil man to disclose 
 his plans to her, and she gave up the point in 
 despair. But his solemn assurance that she should 
 not be harmed was some comfort to her, though 
 she felt that she could not trust him. In his 
 rude manner he had attempted to be kind to her. 
 He was not a pirate, nor a freebooter, for his lan 
 guage was as respectful as his natural coarseness 
 would allow him to use. She sat down in the 
 gloom of the dirty cabin, to think of the grief 
 and anxiety which awaited her parents when her 
 L absence should be discovered. She thought her 
 mother might suppose she had gone to Thatcher's 
 Island in The Starry Flag, and she might not be 
 missed till a late hour in the evening. She con 
 cluded that Levi had made the excursion without
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 219 
 
 her, for he would not wish to disappoint the rest 
 of the party. 
 
 She wept when she thought of her mother the 
 fond and devoted one who seemed to live only for 
 her. She would think that her daughter was 
 drowned, for no one could possibly suspect that 
 she had been carried off by the evil man by 
 him who had saved her father's life. 
 
 Poor Bessie was as sad and miserable as she 
 could be, and the long, gloomy night before her 
 looked like an age of sorrow and trial. 
 
 Dock Vincent went on deck, and presently one 
 of the two men who formed the crew of the Griffin 
 came down into the cabin, and made a fire in the 
 little galley, or cooking stove, which was fastened to 
 the floor in one corner of the dingy den. 
 
 "Can you tell me where we are going?" asked 
 Bessie of this man. 
 
 "I can't, miss; I don't know anything about it," 
 replied the sailor. "I wash my hands of this 
 business." 
 
 "Don't you know what Mr. Dock is going to do 
 with me?"
 
 220 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 " I have no idee, miss ; but he says he ain't going 
 to hurt you. You see, we sailors have to mind the 
 cap'n, and we don't know nothin about his business; 
 but I'll say this to you, miss: he shan't do you no 
 hurt. Barnes and me is agreed on this point." 
 
 "My father and mother will be terribly alarmed 
 when I don't come home," sighed Bessie. 
 
 " I shouldn't wonder if they was ; but I don't see 
 as we can do anything about it. We'll see that you 
 ain't hurt, and if you'll keep still, we'll find out what 
 can be done for you." 
 
 "Thank you," sobbed Bessie. 
 
 "Don't cry, miss; may be we shall be able to do 
 something for you before morning." 
 
 "O, if you will!" 
 
 "We'll keep a lookout and see. Now, miss, what 
 can you eat for your supper ? We haven't got much, 
 but I'll do the best I can for you. I'll brile a mack 
 erel for you, or give you some tea and toast." 
 
 "I don't wish for anything," replied Bessie. 
 
 But Dove, the man who did the cooking, spoke 
 BO kindly to her, and pressed her so hard, that she 
 finally consented to take some tea and toast, which
 
 THE YOTJNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 221 
 
 he prepared for her. With much difficulty, and 
 rather to please Dove than herself she partook, 
 though very sparingly, of the food, and then went 
 to her state-room, locking the door behind her. 
 
 Dock and his men took their suppers by turns ; 
 but nothing was said about Bessie. When they 
 went on deck, Dove and Barnes made an em 
 phatic protest against the high crime which Dock 
 Vincent was committing, and in which they had 
 been compelled to take a part. 
 
 "Dove, you never saw a thousand dollars in all 
 your life," said the unprincipled skipper; "nor you 
 neither, Barnes. I don't ask either of you to do 
 or say anything ; but I will give you a thousand 
 dollars apiece to keep your places in the vessel 
 for three or four days more, or, may be, a week. 
 Yes ; and I will give you the vessel besides." 
 
 The men were tempted by this magnificent oifer, 
 as they regarded it. Dock then assured them that 
 Bessie should be treated like a lady, and not a hair 
 of her head harmed, and that she should be restored 
 to her parents within three or four days. They agreed 
 to let him know their decision in the morning; and 
 19*
 
 222 THE 8 TABBY FLAG, OB 
 
 Dock went down into the cabin again. Taking the 
 
 * 
 
 lantern down from the beam on which it hung, he 
 placed it upon the table. Procuring a bottle of ink, 
 a pen, and some paper from his state-room, he wrote 
 for about two hours; and then, after going on deck, 
 he turned in. 
 
 Perhaps Bessie slept a little she could not tell, 
 in the morning, whether she had or not; but it was 
 the most unhappy night she had ever known. Twenty 
 times, at least, she had prayed for herself and for her 
 parents that she might be saved from harm, and 
 that they might be comforted. Dove gave her a 
 broiled mackerel and some black coffee for her break- 
 fast, of which she partook to please him, he had 
 taken so much pains to suit her. 
 
 In the forenoon Dock came into the cabin, sat 
 down at the table, and read what he had written 
 the night before. He was still busy with the de 
 tails of the "little plan." When he had read the 
 sheet before him, he glanced at the door of Bes 
 sie's state-room, which was still closed. Then he 
 called her name, and she came out. 
 
 "Do you want me?" asked she. "I hope you
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 223 
 
 are ready to tell me what you are going to do 
 with me." 
 
 "I am ready. Your father is a very rich man, I 
 suppose," replied Dock. 
 
 "I suppose he is," added Bessie. 
 
 "He is worth two or three hundred thousand dol 
 lars, most likely." 
 
 "I'm sure I don't know." 
 
 "Well, I know he is," continued Dock. "For a 
 man worth as much money, he is the meanest man 
 I know of." 
 
 "My father!" exclaimed Bessie, surprised and in* 
 dignant. 
 
 "He gave me a hundred-dollar bill for saving 
 his life. That was mean." 
 
 "I am sure he will give you more if you are 
 not satisfied. My father gives away ever BO much 
 money every year." 
 
 "He doesn't give it judiciously, then," said Dock, 
 with a sneer. " He ought to have given me at least 
 ten thousand dollars after I pulled him out of the 
 water. What good would his money have done him 
 if I hadn't saved his life."
 
 224 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 "My father did not think he was in any danger 
 himself; he told me so that day in the train." 
 
 "That's neither here nor there. He didn't pony 
 up like a man, and I'm going to bleed him now. 
 I suppose he won't think twenty thousand dollars 
 is a big price to pay for you." 
 
 " For me ! I don't know what you mean," an 
 swered the bewildered Bessie. 
 
 "Read this letter, then," said Dock, throwing 
 the sheet to her. 
 
 Bessie did read it. It was a letter to her father, 
 filled with bad spelling, and horrible grammar. It in 
 formed Mr. Watson that his daughter was on board 
 of the Griffin, off the coast of Maine, and could only 
 be returned to her parents when he had paid 
 the writer twenty thousand dollars for himself, and 
 two thousand for his men. Dock went on to 
 say that he did not intend to fall into any trap 
 set to catch him. If he was arrested, his men 
 would sink the vessel, with Bessie in the cubin, 
 in the deepest water they could find. The villain 
 then detailed the method by which the money
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 225 
 
 could be paid over to him, without imperilling the 
 life of his daughter. Mr. Watson was directed to 
 enclose the amount demanded in an envelope, ad 
 dressed to " Captain Waldock Vincent, Bangor, 
 Me.," and put it in the post-office. If the pack 
 age reached the writer on Friday, Bessie should 
 be sent to the principal hotel in Bangor on Sat 
 urday. The letter concluded with this ominous 
 threat : " If you attempt to play foul, or to have 
 me arrested, you will never see your daughter 
 again in this world." 
 
 "But would you sink me in the vessel, Mr. 
 Dock ? " asked Bessie. 
 
 "Certainly, I would. If your father don't care 
 enough about you to give what I ask, you ain't 
 of much consequence; that's all.'* 
 
 "My father will give you the money, I know 
 he will," said Bessie, trembling with terror at the 
 awful threat of the evil man. 
 
 " I should say that he would ; but to help the 
 thing along, I want you to write a few lines at 
 the end of the letter. You can advise him to
 
 226 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 take up with my offer, send the money, and no* 
 mention the matter to any constables." 
 
 I will, Mr. Dock." 
 
 "You don't think I've treated you bad since you 
 came aboard do you?" 
 
 "No, Mr. Dock." 
 
 " It wouldn't do any harm to say as much ; it 
 might make your father feel better about it." 
 
 Bessie wrote half a page at the end of Dock's 
 letter, appealing to her father to accept the offer. 
 She added that Dock, except carrying her off, had 
 treated her very well. The letter was sealed and 
 directed to Mr. Watson, at Rockport. 
 
 About the middle of the afternoon, the Grif 
 fin, having been favored with a fresh and steady 
 breeze, put into the harbor of Rockland, in Maine. 
 Dock went ashore, and put his letter in the 
 post office. On his return, the vessel filled away 
 again, and after running across Penobscot Bay, 
 came to anchor in a lonely inlet at Deer Isle. 
 The anchor had hardly hooked into the rocks at 
 the bottom of the little bay, before Dock's at-
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 227 
 
 tention was attracted by a sail headed towards 
 him. 
 
 "It seems to me I've seen that boat before," said 
 the evil man, as the sail approached. 
 
 " I reckon you have. As sure as you live it's Th/ 
 Starry Flag ! " replied Barnes.
 
 228 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE CEUISE OP THE STAKKY FLAG. 
 
 PERHAPS sober, staid, steady skippers, and es 
 pecially prudent, plodding, non-seafaring per 
 sons, would have believed that Levi Fairfield was 
 crazy when he sailed out in the night and the 
 darkness into the solemn solitudes of the great 
 ocean, cutting loose from the land, as though the 
 salt water was his native element. It must be ac 
 knowledged that it was a bold and even reckless 
 venture; but it was not a hopeless one; it was 
 not one in which a skilful and daring fellow might 
 not reasonably expect, if not a perfect success, at 
 least enough to justify the hazard under such 
 desperate circumstances as those under which the 
 young fisherman commenced his voyage. 
 
 Levi did a great deal of thinking and reasoning, 
 balanced a great many probabilities, and finally
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 229 
 
 reached a conclusion which satisfied himself, and 
 gave him the nerve and the courage to persevere 
 to the end in his purpose. After all that Dock 
 Vincent had darkly hinted about his "little plan," 
 the marine philosopher at the helm of The Starry 
 Flag was assured that he had abducted Bessie 
 Watson, intending to extort a large sum of money 
 from the father for her gafe return. This was the 
 first point settled. 
 
 Levi knew that Dock Vincent had formerly been 
 the captain of a coaster plying between ports on the 
 Penobscot and the cities of Boston and New York. 
 The Griffin had gone off headed to the north-east, 
 and the information he had obtained from the helms 
 man of the lumber vessel indicated that she was still 
 sailing in that direction. Dock would not be likely 
 to make a port near the Cape, to which the excite 
 ment attending the absence of Bessie might extend. 
 It was more probable that he would proceed to 
 some more distant harbor. His knowledge of the 
 coast at the mouth of the Penobscot would induce 
 him to go there. This was the second point 
 settled. 
 
 20
 
 230 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 The Griffin was an " old tub," and though she 
 was a vessel of sixty tons, Levi was confident 
 that The Starry Flag would outsail her in an or 
 dinary sea, with anything less than a gale of wind 
 blowing. Though she was a new boat, she had al 
 ready made a reputation as a fast sailer, having 
 actually run fifteen miles in an hour and ten min 
 utes, which is very remarkable sailing for a boat 
 of her size, and of course it was accomplished 
 under the most favorable circumstances. Levi, 
 therefore, did not make his calculations without 
 knowing what he was about. 
 
 The Griffin had four hours the start of him, but 
 she could not be, as the wind had blown, more 
 than twenty miles ahead of him. The Flag was 
 making seven knots, while the Griffin could not 
 be making more than four or five. Levi expected 
 to see the old schooner in the morning, and to 
 be well up with her by the time she made the 
 coast of Maine ; but even if he did not see her, 
 he was determined to . continue on his course, for 
 he could land at some place, and obtain the 
 "ship news" to guide him.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 231 
 
 Before daybreak the skipper of The Starry Flag 
 could not help thinking how comfortable it would 
 be if he could turn in and sleep a few hours, for he 
 gaped fearfully, and his eyes were heavy; but he 
 took a lunch, drank some lemonade, and walked 
 briskly up and down the standing room a few 
 times, which had the effect to wake him up. The 
 boat went along at a lively pace over the great 
 billows, as dry and comfortable as a lady's parlor. 
 A little spray broke on the half deck at times, 
 but not a drop soiled the Sunday clothes of Levi; 
 for he had dressed himself in his best in honor 
 of the party he was to convey to Thatcher's 
 Island. The wind was abaft the beam, and the 
 sails hardly needed any attention. He had only 
 to watch the compass, and keep the boat headed 
 north-east by north, which he had heard was the 
 proper point for a vessel bound to Penobscot Bay. 
 
 At daylight, The Starry Flag seemed to be alone 
 on the vast ocean. She was out of sight of land, 
 and no other sail was to be seen. Levi was wide 
 awake now, and it was no longer difficult for him to 
 keep his eyes open. It was grand, sublime, the
 
 232 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 waste of waters around him rolling and beating like 
 the pulse of the Infinite. Levi's was not a rude, 
 coarse nature, upon which a prospect so sublime 
 could produce no impression. He was moved, awed 
 by it, and by the fact that he was at least fifty 
 miles from the shore. He thought of Him who 
 spread out this desert of waters, and his matin 
 prayer was more real and earnest than ever be 
 fore. The mission in which he was engaged was 
 in harmony with these lofty reflections, and no 
 childish fear moved him to look back from the 
 purpose to which he had nobly devoted himself. 
 
 The sun rose bright and beautiful from his ocean 
 bed, and Levi was almost inspired by the grandeur 
 of the scene, rendered ten times more sublime by 
 the circumstances of his situation. As the bright, 
 warm rays of the sun poured down upon him at a 
 later hour, the wind hauled a little more to the 
 northward, and freshened considerably, but not so 
 that the Flag could not carry her jib and main 
 sail. Levi was disappointed, but not discouraged, 
 because nothing was to be seen of the Griffin. 
 The captain, crew, and all hands, piped to break
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 233 
 
 fast, when the sun had dried the decks of the 
 boat. The lockers were still plentifully supplied 
 with cold ham, bread, cheese, and cake, and the 
 meal was sumptuous. 
 
 While Levi was thus engaged, he caught sight of 
 a distant sail so distant that he could hardly make 
 it out. It was off on his weather beam, hull down, 
 with only the upper part of her sails in sight. The 
 young skipper watched her with deep interest; and 
 when he had finished his breakfast, he took from the 
 cuddy a spy-glass, which he had borrowed of Mr. 
 Gayles, to enable Bessie to look at distant objects, 
 during the trip to Thatcher's Island, and carefully 
 examined the stranger. But she was too far off for 
 him to make her out. By this time two schooners 
 were in sight to leeward of him, but both of them 
 were bound to the southward. 
 
 As Levi watched the distant sail till it became 
 evident to him that she was going to the northward, 
 he altered his course so as to approach near enough 
 to her in a short time to make her out. He was 
 tolerably confident, after he had studied the situa 
 tion, that this vessel was the Griffin, and he began 
 20*
 
 234 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 to be somewhat excited at the prospect. An hour 
 later, he discerned through the spy-glass the great 
 square patch on the foresail, and his belief was fully 
 confirmed. Dock had kept a point nearer to the 
 westward than Levi, who in a few hours more would 
 have passed the Griffin, and left her behind him. 
 
 Levi decided that it would not be prudent for him 
 to exhibit The Starry Flag to Dock Vincent; so he 
 just barely kept the Griffin's sails in sight, keeping 
 abreast, and a little ahead of her, till he sighted the 
 land in the middle of the afternoon. The young 
 fisherman was now worked up to a tremendous pitch 
 of enthusiasm. He was so excited that he forgot all 
 about his dinner till his abused stomach clamored for 
 attention. For three hours the islands of Penobscot 
 Bay surrounded him, and Levi was compelled to get 
 nearer to the chase. 
 
 The Griffin ran into Rockland harbor, lying to 
 while Dock and Barnes went ashore in the boat. 
 Levi had prudently kept at a distance, intending 
 to wait till the vessel anchored, and then to board 
 her after dark, with the assistance of some officers 
 to be obtained in the town. He ran into the bay
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 235 
 
 as far as Jameson's Point; but, as we have narrated 
 in the last chapter, the Griffin remained only a short 
 time in the harbor. When Levi saw her coming 
 down the bay, he stood off and sheltered his boat 
 from the observation of those on board the schooner 
 by running her behind Owl's Head until she had 
 passed, when he followed her again, at a safe 
 distance. 
 
 As the chase was now headed to the north-east, 
 Levi was sure that she intended to make another 
 harbor. It was nearly sundown when she came to 
 anchor in the lonely bay at Deer Isle. As the Grif 
 fin swung round at her moorings, Levi surveyed the 
 harbor which Dock had chosen. There was not a 
 house in sight, and the pursuer knew nothing what 
 ever of the geography of the place. As he saw none, 
 he concluded there were no inhabitants near the 
 place, and that the skipper of the Griffin had chosen 
 his anchorage with reference to this fact. 
 
 Levi did not know the name of the town at which 
 Dock had landed; he could only see that it was a 
 large place. But he rightly conjectured that the 
 conspirator had gone ashore there to make his
 
 236 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 demand upon Mr. Watson through the post 
 office. 
 
 The bold young skipper was troubled by the situ 
 ation, and was at a loss what to do. He could not 
 hope to obtain any help from the shore, and he waa 
 hardly able to do battle with the three men on the 
 deck of the Griffin. He could not anchor outside of 
 the bay, the water was so deep, and he was afraid 
 the Griffin might change her position in the night if 
 he remained out of sight of her. As he reflected, 
 and felt that the chances were now against him, he 
 became desperate, and under this impulse he stood 
 boldly into the lonely bay, direct for the chase. 
 
 Without showing his face, or answering the hail 
 of Dock Vincent, he ran The Starry Flag alongside 
 the schooner, and made fast her painter to the fore 
 shrouds. With the short, heavily-ironed boat-hook 
 of the little craft in his hand, he leaped upon the 
 deck of the Griffin. 
 
 "Is that you, Levi?" demanded Dock, almost par 
 alyzed by the appearance of the youth at this in 
 opportune tune.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 237 
 
 Til bet it's me!" answered Levi, nearly choked 
 by his deep emotion. 
 
 "How came you here, Levi?" continued Dock, 
 who seemed disposed to adopt a conciliatory course. 
 
 " I came after Bessie Watson, and I'm going to 
 have her too," said Levi, decidedly. 
 
 "Bessie Watson? She isn't here." 
 
 "O, Mr. Dock! Do let me go with him," inter 
 posed Bessie, whose head appeared at the compan- 
 ion-way, as she climbed the steep steps. 
 
 " That lie's nailed ! " i said Levi, moving towards 
 the villain. 
 
 "Go below again!" added Dock, sternly. 
 
 "Don't mind him, Bessie," replied Levi. 
 
 "What are you going to do about it, Levi Fair- 
 field ? " demanded Dock, roused to anger by the con 
 duct of the young fisherman. " Here, Dove, you and 
 Barnes pitch this fellow into his boat, and I will 
 take care of the girl." 
 
 "I washed my hands of this business in the be 
 ginning, and I won't have anything to do with it," 
 replied Dove. 
 
 "Nor I neither," added Barnes.
 
 288 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Cowards!" sneered Dock, as he rushed towards 
 Levi. 
 
 At this moment Bessie sprang to the deck, and 
 her movement attracted the attention of Dock, who, 
 fearful that his prize would escape, turned with the 
 intention of driving her back into the cabin. 
 
 "Let her alone!" shouted Levi, angrily, as he fol 
 lowed Dock up to the companion-way, and seized 
 him by the arm to prevent him from pushing Bessie 
 down the ladder. 
 
 Dock turned upon him again, and attempted to 
 lay his heavy hand upon him; but Levi suddenly 
 raised the iron-shod end of the boat-hook, and 
 brought it down with such force upon the head 
 of the evil man that he sank senseless upon the 
 deck.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 239 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE STABKT FLAG COMES TO ANCHOR. 
 
 WHAT have you done, Levi ? " exclaimed 
 Bessie, as, filled with fear and horror, she 
 saw the form of Dock Vincent drop heavily upon 
 the deck of the Griffin. 
 
 " I don't know. I've done my duty, I hope," 
 replied Levi, puffing under the excitement and the 
 exertion of the moment. " I hope I haven't killed 
 him, but I can't help it if I have." 
 
 " O, I hope not ! " added Bessie. 
 
 By this time Barnes and Dove, the two seamen 
 of the Griffin, had come aft, and they commenced 
 an examination into the condition of Dock. 
 
 "You hit him a hard knock, Levi," said Dove, 
 " but he isn't dead. He's only stunded, and he'll 
 come out of it pretty soon." 
 
 " Then I'll be going, for I don't want to have any
 
 20 THE STARRY FLAG. Ott 
 
 more trouble with him. Come, Bessie, get youi 
 things, and come with me." 
 
 " He won't die will, he ? " asked she, glancing, 
 with a shudder, at the stout frame of Dock, ex 
 tended on the deck. 
 
 " Bless you, Miss Bessie, he will be as well as 
 ever in an hour or two," answered Dove. "You 
 needn't consarn yourself about him." 
 
 " I'm very glad it's no worse." 
 
 " Come, Bessie ; have you anything with you ? " 
 
 " Nothing but my shawl ; " and she went down 
 into the cabin for it. 
 
 " Where you goin, Levi ? " asked Dove. 
 
 " If I don't tell you, you won't know," replied the 
 young skipper, prudently. 
 
 " See here, Levi ; you don't think Barnes and me 
 had anything to do with this thing do you?" 
 
 " Well, I don't know that you did ; but I think, 
 if it had been my case, the old Griffin would have 
 found her way back to Rockport before this time." 
 
 "You don't understand it, Levi," added Barnes, 
 with an anxious look. " Captain Dock Vincent al 
 ways has his own way, you know."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 241 
 
 " So he does, when he can ; but he didn't have it 
 just now," answered Levi, looking down at the 
 insensible form. " Why don't you take care of him, 
 and do something for him?" 
 
 " We are goin to ; but I want to know whether 
 you think Dove and me was mixed up in this 
 business." 
 
 " I don't know anything about it ; but I think 
 you might have prevented it, if you had been a 
 mind to." 
 
 " 'Tain't so ; and we don't want you to go to 
 blamin us for what we didn't have nothin to do 
 with. We're hands aboard this vessel, and we have 
 to do just what the cap'n tells us to do. You know 
 that just as well as I do." 
 
 " I haven't anything to say about it. I don't 
 believe you would have done such a mean thing 
 yourself, either one of you," added Levi, evasively. 
 
 "But you ain't a goin to tell the folks down to 
 Rockport that we helped Cap'n Dock do this thing 
 be you?" continued Barnes, beginning to be a 
 little excited at the prospective loss of reputation 
 which such a report would involve. 
 21
 
 242 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " I'll tell them just what you say that you 
 hadn't anything to do with the affair, and that you 
 only obeyed your captain." 
 
 " Well, I'm satisfied with that," said Dove, as Levi 
 handed Bessie in to The Starry Flag. "We told 
 Cap'n Dock we wouldn't have anything to do with 
 carryin the gal off." 
 
 " Yes, he really did ; and Mr. Dove was very kind 
 to me, and told me that he and the other man 
 wouldn't let Mr. Dock hurt me," interposed Bessie, 
 who was disposed to put a very charitable construc 
 tion upon the action, and upon the inaction, of the 
 two seamen, for she did not know that they had 
 consented to receive a thousand dollars apiece for 
 standing by the vessel till the "little plan" was 
 fully executed. 
 
 Levi, fearful that the two men, in self-defence, 
 might attempt to prevent his departure, did not 
 express his mind as fully as he would have done 
 under -different circumstances. He followed Bessie 
 into the boat, and hoisted the mainsail. 
 
 " I say, Levi, you don't think of taking the girl back 
 to Rockport in that boat do you ? " asked Barnes.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 248 
 
 " I should feel safer in her than I should in your 
 old Griffin," replied the young skipper. 
 
 "It's rather resky to go off a hundred and fifty 
 miles in an open boat like that," added the seaman. 
 
 " I don't think so," answered Levi, as he shoved 
 off. " Why don't you go and see to your captain 
 now ? " 
 
 "Dove is lookin out for him. Well, good by, 
 Levi; but don't be hard on us when you get back 
 to Rockport." 
 
 "I'll tell the folks just what you say, and they 
 may judge for themselves. Good by;" and The 
 Starry Flag began to gather headway, and bear 
 them away from the schooner. 
 
 Levi ran up the jib, trimmed the sails, and seated 
 himself at the helm. 
 
 " O, I'm so happy, Levi ! " exclaimed Bessie, as the 
 Flag dashed out of the lonely bay. " You can't tell 
 how much I have suffered since I went on that 
 vessel ! " 
 
 '"I know you must have had a very bad time." 
 
 " And you have followed me all the way from 
 Rockport ? "
 
 244 THE STARKY FLAG, OK 
 
 " Yes ; I sailed all last night and all to-day, fol 
 lowing the Griffin. I thought Dock would run into 
 some place where there were people, and I intended 
 to get some help, and get you away from him." 
 
 " I owe you ever so much, Levi, for what you 
 have done ! And I'm sure I don't know what would 
 have happened if you hadn't come as you did. Did 
 my father send you ? " 
 
 " He does not even know where I am ; for after I 
 got the idea into my head that Dock was carrying 
 you off, I didn't dare to go back to Rockport, for 
 fear I shouldn't overtake the Griffin." 
 
 Levi told Bessie everything that had happened 
 from the time he went to Old Pier to take his party 
 on board up to the moment when he had boarded 
 the Griffin with the boat-hook in his hand. The 
 poor girl wept bitterly when she thought what her 
 father and mother had suffered, and were still suffer 
 ing, on account of her unexplained absence. When 
 Levi assured her they would soon be in Rockport, 
 she dried her eyes, and told her brave companion 
 the history of her abduction, and of her stay on 
 board the Griffin. By the time these interesting
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 24J> 
 
 stories were finished it was quite dark, and Lev) 
 proposed that they should have some supper. He 
 lighted his lantern, and placed cold ham, bread, 
 crackers, and cake on the seat, with lemonade in 
 stead of tea. Under the hopeful promises of the 
 future, Bessie regained her appetite, and ate heartily, 
 much to the satisfaction of the skipper, who fully 
 sustained his own reputation as " a good feeder " on 
 the present occasion. 
 
 " Bessie, I don't know that you will like to go so 
 far in an open boat. I suppose it is nearly a hun 
 dred and fifty miles across to Rockport, right over 
 the open sea, and out of sight of land," said Levi, 
 after he had cleared away the remains of the supper, 
 and put the boat in order for her night voyage. 
 
 " There is no other way to go is there ? " asked 
 Bessie, rather appalled at the prospect of such a 
 cruise. 
 
 " Why, yes ; I can put you on shore, and you 
 can go by the railroad or the steamboat to Boston. 
 There is a big town up here somewhere. ' The 
 Griffin put in there, on her way up. I haven't got 
 any map or chart, and I'm sure I don't know where 
 21*
 
 2^6 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 we are ; only that we are on the coast of Maine, 
 and somewhere near the mouth of the Penobscol 
 River. All I know is, that I must stand about 
 south-west to bring me back to Rockport. When I 
 get a sight of the land over on the other side, I 
 shall know where we are." 
 
 "But are you not afraid to go right out to sea, in 
 an open boat?" asked Bessie. 
 
 "Not a bit of it. I shall feel just as safe as I 
 should on shore," replied Levi. 
 
 " Well, if you are not afraid, I'm not, Levi," said 
 she, with emphasis. " You say we are somewhere 
 near the mouth of the Penobscot River. I have 
 been to Rockland and Thomaston with father. 
 When we returned home, we went to Portland hi a 
 steamboat, and then to Boston by railroad." 
 
 " I suppose we are too late for any steamers to 
 night, for I know those that go to Boston pass the 
 Cape about two or three o'clock in the morning." 
 
 " But we don't know when anything starts," added 
 Bessie. 
 
 "I don't know that I could find the town where 
 we put in this afternoon, but I think I could. If I
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 247 
 
 landed you there to-night, I don't see how you could 
 get to Boston before to-morrow night." 
 
 " But the train from Portland would leave us 
 at Beverly, and we would take the cars there for 
 Rockport." 
 
 " Perhaps the train you would go on would not 
 connect with one for Rockport." 
 
 " Dear me ! I'm sure I don't know what to do." 
 
 "If the wind holds good, I expect to be in Rock- 
 port to-morrow afternoon ; for you know I must be 
 there on Thursday at the trial." 
 
 "I thought you would go with me by the steam 
 boat or the railroad," said Bessie. 
 
 "I couldn't leave my boat." 
 
 "I wouldn't go without you, Levi," added she, 
 decidedly. 
 
 "I must take my boat home." 
 
 "Then I shall go with you." 
 
 "It may come on to blow," suggested the prudent 
 skipper. 
 
 "But it will be as safe for me as it is for you." 
 
 " The boat is safe as long as she is well handled ; 
 and I don't think there is a bit of danger at this
 
 248 THE STARRY FLAG, OE 
 
 season ol tfit> year. I shouldn't want to go across 
 there in the fall or winter, though I shouldn't be 
 afraid to do it then ; but it wouldn't be comfortable. 
 It would be too cold and wet." 
 
 " I shall go with you, Levi, any way." 
 "I can make you up a nice little bed in the cabin 
 there, and you can sleep all night," added Levi, 
 delighted witli the spirit of his fair companion. 
 
 " I think I could sleep anywhere to-night, for I 
 believe I hardly closed my eyes last night. But 
 what are you going to do, Levi ? " 
 
 " O, I must keep awake and steer the boat." 
 " But you didn't sleep any last night." 
 "Well, I will sleep enough when I get home to 
 make it up. But I'm afraid the wind is going to 
 die out," added Levi, who had been fearing this for 
 the last hour, for the breeze had subsided almost to 
 a calm. 
 
 " What will you do then ? " said Bessie, with a 
 long gape, which suggested that it was bedtime 
 for her. 
 "Wait till the breeze comes. Let me make up
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. Z49 
 
 your bed for you now, and you can lie down, for J 
 am sure you are very sleepy." 
 
 " I am, indeed." 
 
 Levi's services, unfortunately, were no longer needed 
 at the helm, for the wind had entirely subsided, and 
 the mainsail hung idly from the gaff. He arranged 
 the best bed the material at his command would 
 permit ; and Bessie lay down upon it, after she had 
 reverently repeated her prayers, to which Levi listened 
 in the true spirit of devotion. He drew the slide 
 over the companion-way, and partly closed the doors, 
 so that she would not be suffocated by the closeness 
 of the cuddy. 
 
 The Starry Flag appeared to rest motionless on 
 the water, for there was not a breath of air. Her 
 skipper was annoyed and impatient. He wanted to 
 be dashing over the waves towards Rockport, with 
 the message of gladness to the distracted parents of 
 his fair passenger ; and it was intensely provoking to 
 have the wind die cut at such a time. Worse than 
 this, he found that the tide was coming in, and that 
 the Flag was drifting up the bay. This would not 
 do ; he was going ahead backwards, drifting upon ax
 
 250 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 island to the northward of him. He was obliged 
 to let go the anchor to check this retrograde ten 
 dency. 
 
 The boat had come to a dead stand; and as 
 there was nothing better that he could do, he furled 
 his sails, fastened the lantern to the jib-stay, stretched 
 himself on one of the seats, and went to sleep.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 251 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 
 
 IT was about eleven o'clock at night, when the 
 wind died out and the tide turned, so that The 
 Starry Flag could make no further progress on her 
 voyage to Cape Ann. Undoubtedly it was best that 
 it should be so ; that the elements should so far 
 conspire against him as to prevent him from going 
 to sea; for Levi was not in condition to stand it 
 another night at the helm. The delay afforded him 
 the sleep and the rest he needed so much. 
 
 It was five o'clock in the morning when the 
 young skipper waked. The sun had risen, and was 
 shining brightly on the silver waters, and a gentle 
 breeze from the westward rippled the surface of the 
 bay. Levi sprang up with a start: his first thought 
 was, that he was wasting precious time; that he 
 had slept hours longer than he should have done.
 
 252 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 Without a moment of delay he hoisted the mainsail, 
 and was going forward to get up the anchor, when 
 he discovered a sail moving out from behind the 
 island under whose lee the boat was moored. A 
 second glance revealed to him the great square 
 patch on the foresail of the Griffin, and assured him 
 that Dock Vincent had come to his senses, and was 
 in pursuit of him. 
 
 The noise he made in hoisting the mainsail had 
 awakened Bessie, and she came out of the cuddy. 
 
 " Where are we, Levi ? Have we got almost to 
 Rockport ? " 
 
 " We have been at anchor all night, Bessie. 
 There comes the Griffin, and we haven't a moment 
 to spare," replied Levi, sharply. 
 
 " O, that's terrible ! " added she, glancing at the 
 old vessel, which was now within a few rods of the 
 boat. "What shall we do?" 
 
 " Don't be alarmed, Bessie ; I can keep out of his 
 way," added Levi, as he unbent the cable and threw 
 the rope overboard, for he could not spare the 
 precious moments which would be required to weigh 
 the anchor.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN- 253 
 
 " Stop, there, Levi Fail-field ! " shouted Dock Vin 
 cent, from the helm of the Griffin. 
 
 " O, Levi ! " gasped Bessie, when she heard the 
 tones of her persecutor's voice. 
 
 " Don't be frightened, Bessie," interposed the gal 
 lant young skipper, in soothing tones. "He shall 
 not have you again." 
 
 Levi hoisted the jib quicker than the jib of The 
 Starry Flag was ever hoisted before. 
 
 " Put the helm down, Bessie the other way ; 
 that's right;" and the Flag began to gather head 
 way just as Dock Vincent, who had gone out on 
 the bowsprit of the Griffin, was attempting, with a 
 long boat-hook, to fasten to the jib-stay of the 
 sail-boat. 
 
 "All right, Bessie," said Levi, with a feeling of 
 intense relief, as he belayed the jib-halliard, and ran 
 to the helm. 
 
 The mainsail was drawing, and as the Griffin 
 came up into the wind, the Flag passed out of the 
 reach of the evil man. Levi gathered up his jib- 
 sheets, trimmed his head-sail, and the boat went off 
 on her course to the southward of the island, leaving 
 22
 
 254 THE STAKBT FLAG, OB 
 
 the Griffin to wear round and renew the chase. It 
 was evident that the schooner had the breeze at an 
 early hour in the morning, and started in pursuit of 
 Levi ; and if the young skipper had slept five min 
 utes more, his little craft would have been captured 
 by the villain. 
 
 " I never was so frightened in my life ! " exclaimed 
 Bessie, with a long breath. " I was sure that we 
 were lost. But he may catch us yet." 
 
 " Not he," said Levi, confidently. " The old Griffin 
 could no more catch us than a snail could catch a 
 streak of lightning. You are as safe now, Bessie, as 
 you would be in the parlor of your father's house. 
 I can't think what made me sleep so long." 
 
 " Poor fellow ! I suppose you were tired out, as I 
 was," replied Bessie, fall of sympathy for her pro 
 tector and friend. 
 
 " I was tired, but I didn't mean to sleep more 
 than a couple of hours." 
 
 "I am glad you did sleep, though I supposed, 
 when I waked up, that we had been sailing all 
 night." 
 
 Levi explained the situation so that his fellow-
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 255 
 
 voyager could understand it. Both of them watched 
 the Griffin all the time, for it was plain that Dock 
 had not yet abandoned his "little plan." The men 
 on board of her were setting a staysail to increase 
 her speed ; but Levi did not borrow any trouble on 
 this account. As long as there was any wind at all, 
 he was sure that he could show Dock the name on 
 the stern of his boat all day long. If the Griffin 
 had been even a fair sailer, it would have been 
 otherwise, and Levi would have been compelled to 
 resort to other expedients than his heels to avoid 
 capture. 
 
 The Starry Flag gained on the schooner until 
 they were about a quarter of a mile apart ; and then 
 Bessie began to feel some assurance that she would 
 not again fall into the clutches of the evil man. 
 The wind was very light, and neither craft was 
 making more than four knots an hour. 
 
 " I don't like to ask you to be ship's steward, 
 Bessie, but I think it is breakfast time, and I don't 
 like to leave the helm even for a minute," said Levi, 
 when he felt sure that, with careful management, he 
 could keep out of the Griffin's way.
 
 266 THE STAKEY FLAG, OR 
 
 " O, I should like something to do ! " exclaimed 
 Bessie, springing to her feet. 
 
 " Should you ? Well, then, you may bring out 
 the breakfast. It's just the same as we had for 
 supper, and as we shall have for dinner. You will 
 find it in that locker," continued Levi, pointing to 
 the place where he had deposited the ship's pro 
 visions. 
 
 " I'm sure it's good enough." 
 
 " If I had thought of having a lady passenger, I 
 might have provided better for her." 
 
 " Why, it's as good as you have yourself, and I'm 
 sure I don't want anything better."" 
 
 Levi wished he had a cup of tea or coffee for her, 
 and for himself too, for that matter ; but there was 
 still plenty of cold water and lemonade on board, 
 and the cake was not half used. Bessie arranged 
 the provision on one of the seats as tastefully and 
 neatly as the material would permit, and the captain, 
 crew, and passengers all breakfasted at one table, the 
 skipper keeping his place at the helm, with an eye 
 on the Griffin all the time. 
 
 The relative positions of the Flag and the schooner
 
 THE YOUNG FISHftRMAN OP CAPE ANN. 257 
 
 were not materially changed during the forenoon. 
 Four miles an hour, to one as impatient as Levi, 
 was very slow progress, and to make this he had 
 the advantage of the ebb tide. At noon the boat 
 was still among the islands of Penobscot Bay, having 
 made not more than thirty miles during the half 
 day. The breeze did not increase, and against the 
 tide, after it had turned, the progress was stil) 
 more unsatisfactory. Several schooners were in sight, 
 bound down the bay, which kept the young voyagers 
 company, and helped to quiet the fears of Bessie, 
 who relied upon these people for help in case the 
 evil man should attempt to capture her again. 
 
 " I think this is rather tiresome, Levi," said Bessie, 
 after they had been to dinner. 
 
 " Confounded tiresome ! " replied the skipper, ear 
 nestly. 
 
 "Don't you suppose there will be more wind than 
 this before night ? " 
 
 " I can't tell ; but I'm afraid not. It looks to me 
 just as though we were going to have dull, muggy 
 weather, with Paddy's hurricane to boot." 
 
 " A hurricane ? " 
 22*
 
 258 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " Don't be scared only Paddy's hurricane," laughed 
 Levi. 
 
 "What's that?" 
 
 "A hurricane that blows up and down in other 
 words, a dead calm." 
 
 O, I hope not." 
 
 "I hope not; but I am more afraid of a calm 
 than I am of a blow. I must be in Rockport to 
 morrow forenoon, you know." 
 
 " You must, if you can," said Bessie. 
 
 "What will my uncle and the rest of them think 
 if I am not there when the trial takes place ? I 
 must be there!" added Levi, anxiously. 
 
 "And my poor father and mother don't know 
 where I am ! " sighed Bessie. 
 
 Then both of them went to thinking, and the 
 boat rose and fell on the billows, hardly going for 
 ward at all. But about four o'clock in the after 
 noon the breeze freshened up, and it blew quite 
 briskly for two or three hours. Levi brightened up, 
 and looked as happy as a lord. Hie tongue flew like 
 a bobbin as the boat passed the last range of islands,
 
 THE YOUNG FISHEKMAN OF CAPE ANN. 259 
 
 and stood out upon the open sea. Bessie was as 
 merry as a cricket, for the bounding little craft was 
 swiftly bearing her to the arms of her affectionate 
 parents. 
 
 " There comes the old Griffin," said Levi. " She 
 is doing better than I ever saw her do before. I 
 declare she has rigged her gaff-topsails. I didn't 
 know she had any before." 
 
 "Will she catch us, Levi?" 
 
 "No, I think not," replied the young skipper; 
 but he was somewhat anxious on the subject. 
 
 If the breeze should increase so as to create a 
 heavy sea, the Griffin might be able to carry sail 
 longer than the Flag, and thus overhaul her; but 
 Levi hoped for the best, and paid close attention to 
 sailing his boat. The schooner, by the aid of her 
 gaff-topsails and staysail, kept about even with the 
 Flag until nearly sunset, when the wind again died 
 out, and left the boat rolling and pitching uneasily 
 on the glassy billows. 
 
 " Here we are again," said Levi, impatiently. " We 
 have come to a dead stand-still."
 
 260 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 " I'm so sorry ! " replied Bessie, sharing the dis 
 appointment of her companion. 
 
 " I expected to be in sight of land on the other 
 side before this time," added Levi ; " and here we 
 are, in sight of land on this side. I am sorry 1 
 didn't land you at some place, and let you go home 
 in the steamboat, or by the cars." 
 
 " Well, it can't be helped now, Levi, and we may 
 as well make the best of it," replied Bessie, who felt 
 it her duty to be cheerful under the trying circum 
 stances. 
 
 " Of course we can't help ourselves, and we may 
 as well laugh as cry. All we can do is to whistle 
 for a breeze. But I'm afraid I shall not get to 
 Rockport in season for the trial." 
 
 " Don't you be concerned about that, Levi. When 
 my father finds out what you have done for me, he 
 will make it all right. My father knows the gov 
 ernor, he has been to our house in Boston, and 
 I'm sure he can help you." 
 
 " I don't like to have my uncle telling them he 
 knew I would run away, and all that sort of thing.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 261 
 
 But if I can only get you through all right, Bessie, 
 I shall be satisfied, even if I do have to go to 
 prison." 
 
 " You shall not go to prison, Levi ! " answered 
 Bessie, firmly. " If you do, I will go with you." 
 
 " That wouldn't do any good. I ought not to 
 think of myself at all, and I won't any more. I 
 will do the best I can, and I won't trouble my 
 head any more about the trial, or my uncle, or the 
 prison, or anything else." 
 
 " You are a good boy, Levi ; and God will 
 protect you, whatever happens ; but I say you shall 
 not be sent to prison. I will go to the governor 
 myself, and on my knees " 
 
 " Hallo ! " shouted Levi, suddenly springing to 
 his feet. 
 
 " What is the matter, Levi ? " asked Bessie, alarmed 
 by his movements and his words. 
 
 " Dock Vincent is getting out his boat ! " 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 "Why, he is going to row the jolly-boat over to 
 us," said Levi, seizing the short boat-hook with 
 which he had done such good service before.
 
 262 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 The Griffin had swung round, so that Levi could 
 see those on board lowering the jolly-boat, which 
 was suspended at the stern davits. They saw 
 Dock and one of his men get into the boat, and 
 pull towards The Starry Flag. 
 
 Bessie trembled.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 263 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THE NIGHT AND THE GALE. 
 
 WHAT will become of us Levi?" exclaimed 
 Bessie, as she saw the jolly-boat of the 
 Griffin approaching The Starry Flag. 
 
 "Don't be frightened, Bessie. We shall get out 
 of this scrape some how or other, just as we have 
 done before. In my opinion we shall have a breeze 
 soon from the southward and westward, and all, or 
 a little more of it, than we want," replied Levi ; but 
 his words had hardly any meaning, even to himself. 
 
 " What can we do if he comes to take me ? 
 He won't let you hit him with that boat-hook 
 again." 
 
 *He shall not take you out of this boat, Bessie, 
 while I'm alive!" added Levi, with a suggestive 
 shake of the head. "I wish I had a pistol or a 
 gun."
 
 264 THE STARKY FLAG, OR 
 
 " You wouldn't shoot him would you, Levi ? " 
 
 "Just as quick as I would shoot a gull, or smash 
 the head of a dog-fish." 
 
 Still the jolly-boat of the Griffin continued to ap 
 proach, and the defences of The Starry Flag were as 
 unsatisfactory as before. Levi was anxious, and he 
 could not decide what he should do. He could not 
 hope successfully to resist so powerful a man as Dock 
 Vincent, assisted now, it might be, by one of his men. 
 
 " He is almost here, Levi," said Bessie, in terror. 
 
 "I know he is; and all we can do is to wait for 
 him," replied Levi, with a coolness which was wholly 
 assumed, for he had but little confidence in his abil 
 ity to defend his fair companion. 
 
 "What shall I do?" repeated she. 
 
 "Leave it all to me, Bessie; I will do the best I 
 can. You had better go into the cuddy, and keep 
 out of sight." 
 
 The terrified girl went into the little cabin, and 
 seated herself on the low berth, to wait, in awful 
 suspense, the result of Dock's intended visit. 
 
 " Better keep off! " shouted Levi, as the jolly-boat 
 name within hail of the Flag.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 265 
 
 Dock paid no attention to the hail, and Levi 
 grasped the iron-shod boat-hook in the most de 
 termined manner, fully resolved to fight rather 
 than permit his passenger to be taken from his 
 protection; and to fight as long as the boat-hook 
 held together, and he could keep his head above 
 his shoulders. 
 
 "Better keep off!" shouted he again. 
 
 "I want to see you, Levi," said Dock, as he and 
 his man stopped rowing, when the jolly-boat was 
 within twenty feet of The Starry Flag. 
 
 "Don't come any nearer, if you know when you 
 are well off! I won't stand no nonsense," replied 
 the young skipper, as resolutely as though he had 
 had his hand on the lock-string of a twenty-four 
 pounder, with whose iron messenger he could have 
 sent the jolly-boat and her crew to the bottom at 
 his own pleasure. 
 
 "I want to talk with you, Levi," added Dock. 
 
 " Talk as much as you like, but don't come any 
 nearer." 
 
 "I owe you one for the rap you gave me last 
 night, but I will call that square, if you will do 
 28
 
 <566 THE STARRY FLAG, OB 
 
 the right thing now," continued Dock, as he pulled 
 a couple of strokes with his oar. 
 
 " Stop there ! " bellowed Levi, fiercely. " Don't you 
 come any nearer. I don't want to shoot you." 
 
 "Have you got a pistol?" 
 
 " If you come any nearer you will find out whether 
 t have or not." 
 
 It was more than probable that Dock would find 
 out whether Levi had a pistol or not, if he lessened 
 the distance between the two boats; but the hint 
 had a salutary effect upon the villanous captain 
 of the Griffin. He did not seem disposed to test 
 the question, for wretches like him are generally 
 cowards. 
 
 "I only want to talk with you, Levi," continued 
 Dock. 
 
 "Talk away as much as you please. I don't care 
 fiow much you talk, though I'd just as lief hear it 
 thunder." 
 
 "I want to settle up this business." 
 
 "You can't settle it with me." 
 
 "Yes, I can. I didn't mean to hurt the girl." 
 
 "No matter what you meant," retorted Levi.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 267 
 
 "If you'll come aboard my vessel, Levi, Fll make 
 it all right with you. If you want to make five or 
 six thousand dollars, I can put you in the way of 
 doing it." 
 
 I don't." 
 
 "You might just as well do it as not. We won't 
 hurt the girl." 
 
 " Shut up ! You needn't talk to me in that way," 
 said Levi, indignantly. 
 
 " But just think of it five thousand dollars don't 
 grow on every bush, you know. We ain't a-going 
 to steal it, you see. I can put you in the way of 
 getting it honestly." 
 
 "I can put you in the way of spending five or 
 six years in the State Prison; and I'll do it if 
 you don't sheer ofi^ and go back to your vessel." 
 
 "My father will give you five thousand dollars, 
 Levi," interposed Bessie, who perhaps did not know 
 Levi well enough to understand that no money could 
 tempt him to do a mean and wicked deed. 
 
 "I say, Levi, didn't you know it was going to 
 blow like sixty before morning ? " persisted Dock,
 
 268 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 growing desperate at his failure to move the gal 
 lant hero of The Starry Flag. 
 
 " Let it blow," replied the young skipper. 
 
 "You will get swamped in that open boat." 
 
 "Don't trouble yourself about me," answered Levi, 
 now really encouraged and hopeful, for he saw the 
 gentle ripple of a coming breeze on the water. 
 
 Dock spoke in a low tone to Barnes, who was his 
 companion, and the conversation continued for a mo 
 ment, and then became rather stormy. It was evi 
 dent that Dock wanted to board the Flag, and take 
 Bessie out of her, and that Barnes was opposed to 
 the measure. In the bottom of the boat there was 
 an old rusty tin dipper, with a long handle, which 
 Levi picked up. Breaking off the handle, he thought 
 it was a tolerably good imitation of the barrel of a 
 pistol, and he took some pains to display it to the 
 men in the jolly-boat, hoping that it would quicken 
 their ideas of prudence and discretion. 
 
 A breath of air swelled the sails of The Starry 
 Flag, and she began to move off on her course again. 
 As the distance between her and the jolly-boat ki- 
 cseased, the wrangling between Dock and Barnes
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN QF CAPE ANN. 269 
 
 became more earnest, and even fierce, and the last 
 words which Levi heard, as the sail-boat gathered 
 headway, came from the latter, and related to the 
 pistol, as he supposed it was, which he had seen in 
 the hands of the young skipper. 
 
 "All right, Bessie," said Levi, in cheerful tones, as 
 the Flag went off on her course. 
 
 " O, I am so glad ! " ejaculated she, joining him ir 
 the standing-room. 
 
 "I think Dock persuaded Barnes to come out 
 here on a peaceful mission. He meant to play off 
 a trick on me, and get us aboard the Griffin." 
 
 "But he offered to give you five thousand dollars 
 if you would help him." 
 
 " Well, I wouldn't do it if he would give me five 
 thousand million dollars," said Levi, laughing. "But 
 we have got a breeze now, and I don't care whether 
 school keeps or not." 
 
 It was now almost dark. The weather had beer 
 cloudy during the latter part of the day, and the 
 breeze that had sprung up came from the southward. 
 To Levi there was a dirty look all round the horizon, 
 and he realized that he should have his hands full 
 23*
 
 270 THE STAKRY FLAG, OK 
 
 before morning. He did not express his fears to 
 Bessie in full, not wishing to terrify her, hoping 
 she would go to sleep, and not know anything 
 about the storm when it came. But he had foil 
 confidence in the sea-going qualities of The Starry 
 Flag, and was quite satisfied that she could, if 
 well handled, weather any gale that ever blew. 
 He had tested her, and believed in her. 
 
 The darkness settled down upon the ocean, and 
 upon the little craft. Dock had returned to the 
 Griffin, which could not now be seen from the 
 Flag. The wind continued to freshen, and the 
 white caps on the dark waves could be seen in 
 the gloom of the cloudy night. 
 
 "I think you had better turn in, Bessie," said 
 Levi. 
 
 "Turn in?" 
 
 "Go to bed, I mean." 
 
 " Don't you think we are going to have a storm ? " 
 
 "It looks like rain, certainly, and it may blow 
 pretty hard." 
 
 "Do you think there is any danger?" 
 
 "Not a bit, Bessie. If I did think so, I should
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 27) 
 
 make tor the nearest land. We are much safer out 
 here than we should be in among those islands." 
 
 " How black and gloomy it looks all around 
 don't it?" 
 
 "It always looks so in a cloudy night on the 
 water. Now turn in, Bessie." 
 
 She complied rather because Levi wished it than 
 because she wanted to do so. She lay down upon 
 the bed her friend had made for her the night be 
 fore. Levi covered her with the old sail, and propped 
 the table-board before the front part of the berth, 
 banking it up with a part of the covering, so that 
 she could not roll out when the boat pitched vio 
 lently, as the skipper knew she would before 
 morning. He then returned to the helm, lashed 
 his lantern to the seat, and carefully secured the 
 compass, in anticipation of the rough time he 
 expected. 
 
 Levi heard no more of Bessie. He had closed the 
 slide and the double doors of the cuddy ; but there 
 was a little blind in each of the latter, which in the 
 fresh breeze would admit a sufficient supply of air. 
 His fab.- charge was safe and comfortable, and Levi
 
 272 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 turned his whole attention to the boat. Within nn 
 hour after he had completed his preparations, it was 
 blowing decidedly fresh ; but The Starry Flag, still 
 under all sail, was going at a fierce rate through the 
 water, and not laboring very heavily. She was close- 
 hauled, or nearly so, and her skipper judged that ahe 
 was making about eight knots an hour a rate which 
 was entirely satisfactory to him. 
 
 At midnight it blew a summer gale. Levi had 
 furled the jib, and put two reefs in his mainsail; but 
 the Flag behaved admirably, and still held her 
 course. 
 
 At two o'clock in the morning, by Levi's time, 
 which was all guess work, and might have varied 
 two hours, it rained in torrents ; but the gale 
 had subsided in a measure, and one reef had been 
 turned out of the mainsail. It was " all well " on 
 board, though Levi was drenched to the skin. A& 
 long as the boat went ahead at a good round rate, 
 he did not care for anything else. It seemed hardly 
 possible that Bessie could sleep through the whole 
 of it, for the Flag in the heavy seas seemed almost 
 to stand up straight at times; the waves broke in
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 273 
 
 heavy volumes on the half deck over her head, and 
 the air was filled with terrific howls. If she was 
 awake, she said nothing. 
 
 At daylight, on Thursday morning, the gale had 
 moderated into a fresh breeze, but it had hauled to 
 the westward, so that Levi could not lay his course. 
 He had turned out his reefs in the mainsail, and 
 hoisted the jib. The sea had gone down consider 
 ably, and there was every prospect of a pleasant day. 
 
 At seven o'clock, judged by the height of the sun, 
 the boat was running in towards White Island Light, 
 on the Isles of Shoals. Bessie had turned out, and 
 declared that she never slept better in her life, and 
 that The Starry Flag was a " perfect love " of a 
 boat. 
 
 The court at Rockport was to come in at ten 
 o'clock, and Levi was still twenty miles from his 
 destination ; but he had run in shore far enough 
 to get a slant, and was sure that he could " fetch " 
 inside of Straitsmouth on the home tack. Bessie 
 brought out the provisions, and "all hands" break 
 fasted on board, as they hoped, for the last time, on 
 that cruise.
 
 274 THE STAKBY FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 THE RETURN OF THE STAKRY FLAG. 
 
 THE excitement which followed the disappear 
 ance of Bessie Watson had only partially sub 
 sided on Thursday forenoon, when Mr. Fairfield, 
 Ruel Belcher, the constable, and others, assembled 
 at the office of Squire Saunders for the continua 
 tion of the examination of Levi. It was a mere 
 form, for the defendant was not in town, and of 
 course the trial could not proceed. The two gen 
 tlemen who had given bail for the appearance of 
 Levi were not in a very pleasant frame of mind, 
 for the young man had neither been seen nor 
 heard of since Monday night. 
 
 Without delaying the current of our story long 
 enough to detail all the efforts which had been 
 used to find Bessie, the search had been as thor 
 ough as wealth and energy could make it. All
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE AWBT. 275 
 
 the towns on the coast from Boston to Portsmouth 
 had been visited, all the shores had been examined, 
 all the ponds dragged, and all the out-of-the-way 
 places explored. Fishermen, sailors, and landsmen 
 had been employed, and during Tuesday and 
 Wednesday there was not an idle person within 
 ten miles of Rockport, and the busiest of them 
 all was Mr. Gayles, the constable. 
 
 The absence of Levi Fairfield was not discovered 
 till Tuesday forenoon; and even then it was sup 
 posed that he had gone after dog-fish, as usual, in 
 his boat; but in the evening, when he did not re 
 turn, and nothing had been heard of him, it was 
 believed that something unusual had occurred to 
 him. Mr. Watson thought it very singular that Levi 
 should thus absent himself at a time when Bessie's 
 parents were in such a state of agonizing suspense. 
 
 By Wednesday noon, when Levi's absence was 
 continued, Mr. Fairfield began to be hopeful that 
 his ward had actually departed, never more to re 
 turn. It was not consistent with his ideas to believe 
 anything good of Levi; and by this time he had 
 fully satisfied himself that the boy had run away
 
 P 76 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 that he feared to face the results of the examina 
 tion. Some thought the young fisherman had ven 
 tured too far out to sea, and that The Starry Flag 
 had been swamped and sunk, carrying the bold 
 youth down with her; and others that he had 
 &old the boat in some port not yet visited, and 
 "left for parts unknown." Mr. Fairfield did not 
 care which was true, if one of them could only 
 be fully established. 
 
 The miser was apt to be a fast reasoner. What 
 he wished to believe, he generally succeeded in 
 making out to be true. On Wednesday afternoon, 
 he was pretty well satisfied that Levi would not 
 borne back to Rockport again. With this belief 
 and confidence, he once more drew the two hun 
 dred and fifty dollars the identical bills paid to 
 Levi by Mr. Watson from their hiding-place, and 
 put them in his pocket. Cunning and avaricious men 
 often overreach themselves; and it would have been 
 better for him, though worse for the ends of truth 
 and justice, if he had permitted the money to remain 
 in its hiding-place. He went to Gloucester that 
 afternoon, to see a man who had applied to him
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 277 
 
 for a loan of five hundred dollars at an exorbitant 
 rate of interest. He passed the bills, with an equal 
 amount from his own funds, to this person, with the 
 understanding that the money was to be expended 
 in Boston the next day. 
 
 The desire to obtain the extra and illegal interest 
 had tempted him to use the bills, which actually be 
 longed to Levi, before it was prudent as rogues 
 use this word to do so. But the bills would go 
 off to Boston, and would soon be scattered, and 
 all traces of them lost. Mr. Fairfield really be 
 lieved that he was shrewd, and that it would not 
 be possible for the bank notes to appear against 
 him. He rubbed his hands with delight when he 
 had finished the business, and did not even grudge 
 the thirty cents he had expended in railroad fares 
 which was more extraordinary than any other part 
 of the transaction. 
 
 Mr. Gayles had some views of his own in regard 
 to the disappearance of Bessie Watson and the con 
 tinued absence of Levi. Mr. Watson had more con 
 fidence in him than in any other person, because he 
 had been so energetic in the search, and because, 
 24
 
 278 THE STARRY FLAG, OK 
 
 from the beginning, he had spoken words of hope to 
 the distracted parents. When Levi's bail grumbled, 
 Mr. Gayles declared that the boy had not run away; 
 he was certain that he would come back. And Mr. 
 Watson assured the grumblers, that, whether Levi 
 came back or not, he would pay the bail if it should 
 be forfeited. 
 
 "Mr. Watson, you don't know Levi Fairfield as 
 well as I do," said the constable. " I have had some 
 dealings with him, and I know him through and 
 through. You may take my word for it, he hasn't 
 run away; and more than that, I'll be willing to 
 give all the money I've paid for dog-fish livers in 
 two years if that boy isn't on Cap'n Dock Vincent's 
 track." 
 
 "Do you think so?" asked Mr. Watson, gathering 
 fresh hope from the suggestion. 
 
 "I know it. I can't prove it, of course; but it's 
 sort of burnt into me that he knows more about 
 Bessie at this minute than any of the rest of us. 
 
 "I hope so." 
 
 " We found out yesterday " this conversation waa
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 279 
 
 on Wednesday " that the Griffin went off on Mon 
 day night." 
 
 "But Levi was with me as late as nine o'clock." 
 
 " I don't know exactly how it's coming about ; but 
 you may mark my words, that Levi's on the track 
 now." 
 
 Mr. Watson could only hope that Levi was in posi 
 tion to assist his daughter, if she were still living; 
 but as it had been ascertained that the Griffin went 
 out of the bay between four and five o'clock, while 
 Levi had been with him as late as nine, he could 
 not fully adopt the theory of the constable. 
 
 There was a great deal of interest manifested in 
 the examination on Thursday forenoon. People were 
 curious to know what would be done, and whether 
 the bail would be forfeited. Levi could not appear, 
 and people desired to know what would be said; so 
 they assembled, to the utmost capacity of the room, 
 in the squire's office, and twice as many more gath 
 ered around the door in the street. Mr. Watson 
 was there, prepared with able counsel to argue for 
 a postponement, and to pay every dollar of expense 
 that had been or might be incurred. Mr. Fairfield
 
 280 THE STAKRY FLAG, OR 
 
 was there, convinced that Levi had run away, or 
 been drowned. Ruel Belcher was there, again im 
 posing upon his brother-in-law the cruel necessity of 
 expending another twenty-five cents for " a slice from 
 the un<lor side *of the round." Mr. Gayles was not 
 there yet. He had gone to the post-office; but pres 
 ently lie appeared with a letter in his hand for Mr. 
 Watson, which he had observed through the glass 
 window of the office. He gave it to the merchant, 
 and entered into conversation with the counsel for 
 the defendant. 
 
 Squire Saunders said he was ready to proceed with 
 the business of the court, and would call up the c?e 
 of Levi Fairfield, continued from last Thursday. Mr. 
 Gayles stated that the defendant was not present. 
 
 " I knowed he wouldn't be," interposed Mr. Fair- 
 field. " That boy has run away, and I knowed he 
 would all the time. He's a bad boy; but I hope 
 them that trusted him won't lose nothin by it." 
 
 "Do you know where he is, Mr. Fairfield?" asked 
 the justice. 
 
 " Do I ? No ; I don't know nothin about him,
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 281 
 
 He's hardly been near ray house sence he stole the 
 money." 
 
 Mr. Cleaves, who had been employed as counsel 
 for Levi, rose to state the case, and ask for a further 
 continuation for a few days. He was confident that 
 the defendant would appear in due time, and that he 
 had no intention to evade the operation of the law. 
 
 " Merciful Heaven ! " exclaimed Mr. Watson, sud 
 denly rising from his chair with the letter he had 
 just received in his hand, and his whole frame quiv 
 ering with emotion. 
 
 " Have you any intelligence from the defendant ? " 
 asked Squire Saunders. 
 
 "No, sir; but I have from my daughter." 
 
 But then, as he thought of the condition of secrecy 
 imposed upon him by Dock Vincent, he hastily fold 
 ed up the letter, and thrust it into his pocket. 
 
 The letter was that which Dock Vincent had writ- 
 ten on board the Griffin, and mailed at Rockland. 
 What was twenty or fifty thousand dollars to the 
 devoted father compared with the loss of his daugh 
 ter? He was ready to give all the wretch asked to 
 reclaim her. - 
 
 24*
 
 282 THE STAEEY FLAG, OB 
 
 " Where is she ? " demanded the justice ; and those 
 in the room forgot all about Levi, for the moment, 
 in their absorbing interest in the fate of Bessie. 
 
 " She is alive, and says she is well. Beyond this 
 I am not permitted to say," replied Mr. Watson, as 
 he moved towards the door, intent upon raising the 
 money and hastening to the place indicated in the 
 letter for the recovery of his daughter. 
 
 He found he could not go to Boston till three 
 o'clock in the afternoon, and as his name and credit 
 were good enough in Rockport to enable him to 
 raise the required sum there, he determined to borrow 
 the money, and proceed with his wife to Bangor. 
 The Cape Ann millionnaire, one of Levi's bail, was 
 present. He was the president of the bank, and 
 promptly offered to supply the funds, though he was 
 rather curious to know to what use the money was 
 to be applied. But Mr. Watson kept his own coun 
 sel, fearful that Dock, if betrayed, would wreak his 
 Vengeance on his darling child. As nothing could 
 be done, the merchant decided to remain at the 
 office until Levi's case was disposed of for that day. 
 
 Squire Cleaves continued his remarks, urging his
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 283 
 
 reasons for a postponement of the examination. 
 While he was thus engaged, a man, with more en 
 thusiasm than discretion, rushed into the room. 
 
 "The Starry Flag is coming!" shouted he, at the 
 top of his lungs. 
 
 "Where is she?" asked Mr. Gayles. 
 
 " She passed Halibut Point half an hour ago, and 
 je headed towards Old Pier now." 
 
 " Is Levi in her ? " continued Mr. Gayles. 
 
 "Yes, sir; and there is a girl with him." 
 
 "A girl!" 
 
 "A girl about a dozen years old, and we all 
 reckon it's the one that was lost," replied the 
 messenger. " I've been looking at 'em through my 
 glass." 
 
 The court adjourned without any formalities what 
 ever, and everybody rushed down to Old Pier, in 
 cluding the justice, the attorneys, the president of the 
 bank, ministers, deacons, and laymen. Mr. Babson, 
 who was at the justice's room, hastened to his house 
 as fast as his fat legs would carry him, to inform 
 Mrs. Watson that The Starry Flag was in sight,
 
 284 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 with a girl on board who was supposed to be Bessie. 
 The anxious mother joined the crowd of people 
 that flocked down to Old Pier, which now seemed 
 to have half the population of the town gathered 
 upon it. 
 
 The report was correct : The Starry Flag was 
 coming, and by the time Mrs. Watson reached 
 the wharf, and the crowd had opened for her so 
 that she could join her husband on the edge of 
 the pier, the boat was within hailing distance. 
 Levi sat at the helm, his bosom bounding with 
 emotions such as he had never experienced before. 
 Bessie sat opposite to him, even more agitated than 
 he. She recognized her father and mother on the 
 wharf, and waved her handkerchief to them. 
 
 " It is she ! It is she ! " exclaimed the delighted 
 father; and a thrill of joy flew through the hearts 
 of the multitude. 
 
 A deafening cheer rose on the air, when it was 
 certain that the girl was Bessie. Men swung their 
 hats, and women their handkerchiefs, and the wave 
 of rapture in the hearts of the multitude was
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 285 
 
 mightier than the swell of the sea beneath 
 them. 
 
 Levi waved his hat as he ran The Starry Flag 
 into the dock, the proudest and the happiest 
 fellow that ever handled a tiller or manned * 
 halyard.
 
 286 TILE STABBT FLAG, OB 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 THE RESULT OP THE EXAMINATION. 
 
 CHEER after cheer rent the air from the multi 
 tude on the pier as The Starry Flag entered 
 the dock, and sweeping round in a graceful circle, 
 came up to the stone steps where Mr. Gayles leaped 
 on board. 
 
 " How are you, Levi ? " exclaimed the constable, 
 grasping the hand of the young fisherman. 
 
 " O, I'm all right," replied the blushing skipper of 
 The Starry Flag. 
 
 " And Miss Bessie let me hand her up to her 
 father and mother," continued Mr. Gayles, taking the 
 little maiden by the arm. " We are so thankful you 
 are safe!" 
 
 " O, I am so happy ! " replied Bessie, trembling 
 with emotion. 
 
 The cheers were continued by the excited crowd
 
 THE YOUNG FISHEUMAN OF CAPE ANN. 287 
 
 as the kind-hearted officer conducted Bessie to the 
 bow of the boat, and then up the steps, though she 
 Was clasped in her father's arms before she could 
 reach the pier. 
 
 " My child ! " cried Mrs. Watson, as her husband 
 handed Bessie to her open arms. 
 
 It was a touching scene, and many others besides 
 the father and mother wept for joy as Mrs. Watson 
 pressed the lost one to her bosom, and thanked the 
 good Father, from the deepest depths of her heart, 
 for restoring her child. While these events were 
 transpiring on the wharf, Levi let go his halyards, 
 and then quietly seated himself at the stern of the 
 boat, where he had sat most of the time for nearly 
 three days. His eyes were deeply sunk in his head, 
 and he was pale and haggard. He had slept but 
 six hours during the whole cruise, and was worn 
 out with watching, care, and anxiety. His mission 
 seemed to be ended, and now he was hardly able 
 to hold up his head. 
 
 " Three cheers for Levi Fail-field ! " shouted the 
 enthusiastic Cape Ann millionnaire on the pier. 
 
 The cheers were given with a hearty good will
 
 288 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 as Bessie was handed into a carryall which one of 
 the crowd pressed upon the parents. 
 
 " Where is Levi ? " asked Mr. Watson, who, for 
 the moment, had forgotten the brave deliverer of 
 his daughter as the torrent of parental emotions 
 flowed. 
 
 " He is in the boat," replied Mr. Gayles, rushing 
 down the steps again to the Flag. " Come, Levi, 
 you are wanted on shore," he added. 
 
 " I'm tired, Mr. Gayles," replied Levi ; " and I 
 guess I'll stay here till some of the folks have 
 gone off." 
 
 " No ; Mr. Watson wants to see you, and, besides, 
 the court is waiting for you." 
 
 " I thought the court was down here," added 
 Levi, with a faint smile. "I see Squire Saunders 
 and others on the wharf. I'll stow my jib and 
 mainsail, and go with you in a minute." 
 
 " We want to hear your story. You must have 
 had a hard time of it, for it blew like sixty here 
 last night." 
 
 "It blew some where I was." 
 
 Levi was not permitted to secure his sails, for
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 2&& 
 
 that office was taken from him by some fishermen, 
 and Mr. Gayles conducted him to the vehicle in 
 which Mrs. Watson and Bessie were seated. The 
 happy father grasped his hand as he approached, 
 and hurried him into the carryall, in which he 
 seated himself and drove off towards Mr. Babson's 
 house. 
 
 It had already been ascertained, from Bessie's 
 brief statement, that The Starry Flag had actually 
 sailed three hundred miles over the open ocean, 
 and had been to the mouth of the Penobscot. 
 Some of the crowd lingered to gaze upon her, and 
 express their admiration of her good behavior, and 
 the skill and daring of the youth who had piloted 
 her through the night, and the darkness, and the 
 storm, on her errand of mercy. The boat was 
 entitled to a portion of the credit, and she was 
 warmly praised. Mr. Hatch was almost as proud 
 and happy as though he had been on the cruise, 
 for he had built the boat, and she was a credit to 
 his skill. 
 
 "Don't tell me Levi stole that money, after this," 
 said he, when the boat had been duly commended, 
 25
 
 290 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 as the people walked back to the office of Squire 
 Saunders to hear the rest of the examination. 
 
 Mr. Watson drove up the street, and the carriage 
 was followed by a portion of the crowd, anxious 
 to learn the particulars of the cruise of The Starry 
 Flag. 
 
 "I don't know what would have become of me, 
 father, if it hadn't been for Levi," said Bessie. 
 
 " Some of the people supposed Levi had run 
 away; but Mr. Gayles was quite sure that he would 
 return." 
 
 "TJncle Nathan thought I had run away, I sup 
 pose," added Levi, rather dryly. 
 
 " He was sure of it." 
 
 "Poor child! "What a hard time you have had!" 
 said Mrs. Watson, as she drew Bessie close to 
 her side. 
 
 " Indeed, I have not, mother," replied the little 
 wanderer; "at least not since I left Dock Vincent's 
 vessel." 
 
 "But you have been in an open boat all the 
 time." 
 
 "I slept in the little cabin all night, and didn't
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 291 
 
 wake up once, though Levi told me this morning he 
 had had a gale of wind." 
 
 "You must have had a hard time of it, Levi," 
 added Mi'. Watson. 
 
 " Well, I am rather tired ; but I shall be as good 
 as new after I have made up my sleep." 
 
 The vehicle stopped at Mr. Babson's house, and 
 the party went in. Mr. Gayles and others soon 
 arrived. Between Bessie and Levi the story of 
 the cruise was soon told. Mrs. Watson wept afresh 
 as she listened to the perils through which her 
 darling daughter had passed ; and both father and 
 mother wanted to hug Levi in their admiration 
 for his noble daring, his skill, energy, and reso. 
 lution. 
 
 "We must go to Squire Saunders's office now, 
 Levi, if you feel able," interposed Mr. Gayles, when 
 the story was finished. 
 
 "Not till he has had some breakfast," said Mrs. 
 Babson, decidedly. "The poor fellow has been up 
 all night, and I suppose he hasn't had even a cup 
 of coffee to-day." 
 
 " The court is waiting."
 
 292 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 "Let it wait," added Mrs. Babson. "If Squirfc 
 Saunders can't stop for the poor boy to drink a cup 
 of coffee, he isn't fit to be a judge." 
 
 The breakfast was all ready, and the wanderers 
 sat down at the hospitable board. Mr. Gayles went 
 to the magistrate's office, which was crowded with 
 people, and told them the story to which he had 
 just listened. They were all willing to wait for 
 Levi as long as he wished ; and when he arrived 
 with Mr. Watson, every man in the room insisted 
 upon taking him by the hand every one except 
 Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 Uncle Nathan felt cheap. He would have sold 
 himself out for sixpence. Levi was a lion, a hero. 
 People would mob the justice if lie attempted to 
 bind him over for trial. The case was lost, so far 
 as injuring Levi was concerned, and the guardian 
 was even prepared to follow the popular current ; 
 it was hardly safe for him to do otherwise, for the 
 people might take it into their heads to pull his 
 old buildings down if he persisted in persecuting 
 his ward. But Mr. Fairfield realized that he had 
 rmde two hundred and fifty dollars. Levi had
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 293 
 
 stolen the money, he still believed this to be 
 the truth, and he had obtained it. He had paid 
 it away, the money had gone to Boston, and there 
 was no longer any danger that it would be found 
 upon his person or his premises. 
 
 The case was opened again. The witnesses testi. 
 fied as before ; but Dock Vincent was not present, 
 and Mr. Fairfield did not venture to repeat his 
 belief that Levi had stolen the money. Mr. Hatch, 
 as before, said he had received the bills for the 
 boat, but could not state positively that the bills 
 identified by Ruel Belcher were the ones paid to 
 him. Mr. Watson was called, and swore that he 
 had given two hundred and fifty dollars to Levi, 
 which the boy persisted in regarding as a loan. 
 
 " Could you identify the bills you paid to Levi 
 Fail-field ? " asked Squire Cleaves, who acted as coun- 
 i?l for the defendant. 
 
 "I could," replied Mr. Watson, taking a memo 
 randum book from his pocket. "It is my custom 
 to note down the number and description of aU 
 bank bills larger than twenties which come into my 
 possession." 
 
 25*
 
 294 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " "Will you be kind enough to look at these 
 bills ? " added Squire Cleaves, handing him three 
 bank notes. 
 
 Mr. Watson took the bills, and compared their 
 description with the memorandums before him. 
 
 " They are the bills I paid to Levi Fairfield," said 
 he. " I checked them off of my book after I entered 
 the train that morning." 
 
 "You are entirely sure?" 
 
 "It is impossible that I should be mistaken." 
 
 " That will do ; step down, if you please. Mr, 
 Gayles, call Captain Treadwell." 
 
 The witness indicated was conducted to the table 
 from an adjoining room. The crowd opened for 
 him ; and when he appeared, Mr. Fail-field turned 
 pale and trembled in every joint of his frame. The 
 captain was sworn, and took the stand. 
 
 " Captain Treadwell, do you know these bills ? " 
 continued Squire Cleaves. 
 
 "I do," replied the witness, after deliberately ex 
 amining them. 
 
 " State what you know about them." 
 
 "They were paid to me by Mr. Fairfield. H
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 295 
 
 lent me five hundred dollars yesterday, and these 
 bills were part of the money." 
 
 " 'Tain't so ! " interrupted the miserable guardiam 
 of Levi. 
 
 " Silence ! " said the justice. 
 
 "I tell you I've had them bills for more'n two 
 months, and I didn't steal 'em nuther," persisted Mr. 
 Fairfield, desperately. 
 
 " Silence, sir ! or I'll commit you for contempt," 
 added Squire Saunders. 
 
 Mr. Fairfield " subsided," but the cold sweat stood 
 on his forehead, and his heart was almost in his 
 mouth. 
 
 " Go on, Captain Treadwell," said the counsel for 
 the defendant. 
 
 " Before Mr. Fairfield was out of sight, Mr. Gayles 
 came up, and wanted to see the money paid to me. 
 I showed it to him." 
 
 Mr. Gayles looked at Levi, and Levi looked at 
 Mr. Gayles. Both of them smiled. The constable 
 had kept one eye on the guardian all the time, 
 and when he went to Gloucester, had followed and 
 watched him. Mr. Fairfield had "reckoned without
 
 296 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 his host," as bad men are apt to do. Levi's absence 
 had given him confidence to dispose of the bills; 
 and while the ward had served Bessie by his mission 
 to the Penobscot, he had served himself. 
 
 "It seems to me this is a clear case," said Squire 
 Cleaves, after all the evidence, including the de 
 fendant's, had been heard. "Levi paid this money 
 to Mr. Hatch ; and the young man testifies that 
 these bills, identified by Mr. Watson, are the iden 
 tical ones with which he paid for the boat. These 
 same bills are now paid by Mr. Fairfield to Captain 
 Treadwell. Where did Mr. Fairfield get them ? 
 Of course, when Mr. Hatch permitted him to look 
 at them, he substituted the stolen bills for these ; 
 and it follows, as the day follows the night, that 
 Mr. Fairfield stole them from his brother-in-law 
 himself." 
 
 " I didn't steal 'em no sich thing ! " shouted 
 Mr. Fail-field. 
 
 "Perhaps you will tell where you did get them," 
 added Squire Cleaves. 
 
 "I found 'em in the chimbly," gasped the guar 
 dian, desperately.
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 297 
 
 " Can you inform the court how they came in the 
 chimney ? " 
 
 " Levi hid 'em there," answered Mr. Fairfield, so 
 confused and overborne by the unexpected revela 
 tions that his cunning forsook him, and he told what 
 he believed to be the truth. 
 
 Mr. Fairfield was put upon the stand again, and 
 actually told the whole truth actually confessed 
 that he had changed the bills. 
 
 " Why did you change them ? " asked the jus 
 tice. " Did you wish to have your ward con 
 victed ? " 
 
 "Sartinly not." 
 
 "Why, then?" 
 
 "I'm that boy's guardeen, and I can't do nothin 
 with him. He fit me t'other day like a wildcat ; 
 and " 
 
 "What has that to do with it?" demanded the 
 justice, impatiently. " Tell the truth, or you shal) 
 be prosecuted for perjury." 
 
 " You're all down on me now ; but I mean to 
 tell the truth, as I allers did. Levi stole that 
 money, and hid it in the chimbly. I knowed this.
 
 298 THE STABBY FLAG, OK 
 
 Now, ef I hadn't changed the bills, the boy'd got 
 off, and fooled all that money away on a boat. Ef 
 the bills was found in the chimbly, I wanted it to 
 look as ef Levi took the money he stole to buy 
 the boat, and hid what Mr. Watson gin him in 
 Ruel's wallet. As I fixed things, Ruel got his 
 money back, and I got what Mr. Watson paid 
 Levi jist to keep for him, for I'm his guardeen." 
 
 It did not yet appear who had stolen the wallet. 
 It lay between Levi and his uncle. There was not 
 now a particle of evidence to prove that Levi was 
 guilty, and he was accordingly discharged, much to 
 the satisfaction of the spectators, who believed that 
 Mr. Fairfield was the thief. Nothing could be 
 proved ; but it was supposed that the miser would 
 be arrested in a day or two, after the lawyers had 
 " compared notes." 
 
 Levi left the office, and was enthusiastically cheered 
 by the crowd on the street. He went up to see 
 Bessie and her mother again, promising to stay with 
 Mr. Gayles over night. 
 
 Mr. Fairfield and Ruel Belcher went back to 
 the old house, and spent the rest of the day in
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 299 
 
 talking about the robbery. They could make noth 
 ing of it. Ruel would not admit that Levi stole 
 his money, while his brother-in-law insisted upon 
 his opinion. They became quite excited over the 
 question, and the discussion was continued till a 
 late hour in the evening, when Ruel retired. 
 
 " Massy sake ! what's the matter ? " exclaimed Mrs. 
 Fairfield in the night, being awakened by a violent 
 noise in Levi's chamber. 
 
 "Robbers ain't it?" gasped the miser. 
 
 " I dunno ; for massy sake, git up and find out." 
 
 " Seems as ef the rest of that dumbly 's comin 
 down." 
 
 Mr. Fairfield partially dressed himself, and went 
 to Levi's room. He was terribly frightened ; but 
 his money was as dear as his life, and he entered 
 the room with a light in his hand. 
 
 On the hearth, with his head up the chimney, 
 stood Ruel Belcher in his night-dress. His- eyei 
 were open, but he looked confused and stupid.
 
 300 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 CREATION, Ruel ! What on airth are yon doin 
 in there ? " demanded Mr. Fail-field, surprised 
 rather than alarmed at the situation of his guest. 
 
 Ruel Belcher made no reply. 
 
 "What is it, Nathan? For pity's sake, tell me!" 
 called Mrs. Fail-field, who had stationed herself at the 
 foot of the stairs to listen. 
 
 " Come up here, wife." 
 
 "What's the matter?" continued Mrs. Fail-field, 
 who had been partially assured by the voice and 
 the tones of her husband. 
 
 " Sunthin ails Ruel," answered Mr. Fail-field, as 
 tonished that his brother-in-law did not speak. 
 
 "Goodness!" He ain't sick is he?" said the 
 wife, as she went up the stairs. 
 
 'There he is; he seems to be goin up chimbly."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 301 
 
 " Gooilncss gracious ! ef Ruel ain't at his old 
 tricks ! " ejaculated Mrs. Fairfield, holding up both 
 hands in astonishment. " I thought he got cured 
 of them long ago." 
 
 "Why, what ails him?" 
 
 "Don't you see, he gits up in his sleep? I don't 
 know what he's doin in the chimbly." 
 
 "What shall I do? Shall I wake him up?" 
 
 "Jest kind o' coax him out if you can. They say 
 it don't do sech folks no good to wake 'em up when 
 they're at their tantrums." 
 
 Mr. Fail-field followed the advice of his wife ; but 
 Ruel was much more obstinate in his sleep than he 
 was when awake, and was not inclined to be coaxed. 
 He persisted in feeling of the bricks inside of the 
 chimney, and appeared to be looking for something. 
 His brother-in-law tried to make him stoop, and 
 crawl out of the chimney ; but he was obstinate, 
 and did not seem to be conscious that he was 
 not alone. Mr. Fairfield continued his efforts, which 
 at last became so violent that he awoke the sleeper. 
 
 Ruel gave a "heavy start," a long gasp, and 
 stared at his companion. In his operations he had 
 26
 
 302 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 dislodged a brick, which had fortunately descended 
 to the hearth without hitting him. He rubbed his 
 eyes as he came to himself, and then yawned. 
 
 " What you doin in here, Ruel ? " demanded Mr. 
 Fail-field. 
 
 " I don't know. Where am I ? " replied the 
 sleep-walker. 
 
 " Stoop down, and git out ; you were goin up 
 chimbly, I s'pose." 
 
 Ruel obeyed, and bent his head enough to enable 
 him to pass out into the chamber. 
 
 " Massy sake ! " ejaculated his sister. 
 
 " What do you want ? What are you doing here ? " 
 asked Ruel, apparently more astonished than any one 
 else at the awkwardness of the situation. 
 
 "What are you doin, Ruel?" added Mrs. Fair- 
 field. 
 
 " I'm not doing anything at least, I don't know 
 anything about it," continued Ruel, with a look of 
 blank amazement. 
 
 " Well, git into bed again ; you'll git your death 
 o' cold, poking round with nothin on but your 
 night clothes."
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 308 
 
 Ruel was quite tractable now; but it was found 
 tlut his hands were covered with " crock," and 
 after washing them he retired again. 
 
 " What was you doin in the chimbly, Ruel ? " 
 asked Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 "I don't know." 
 
 " You are at your old tricks again," added Mrs. 
 Fairfield. "When you was a young man, you used 
 to git up in your sleep a'most every night, and we 
 used to be scared a'most to death for fear sun- 
 thin would happen to ' you. I know you got up 
 one night and hunted all over the house for a 
 half dollar you had lost. I s'pose you was worried 
 about it." 
 
 "Can't you tell what you was a dreamin on?" 
 asked Mr. Fairfield. 
 
 Ruel rubbed his eyes, and thought a moment. 
 
 " It comes to me now," said he. " I was dreaming 
 uf that wallet I lost. It seemed to me just aa 
 though I had put it somewhere, and was going 
 to look for it." 
 
 " I vow, Ruel, you put that wallet in the chimbly 
 yourself, jest where Nathan found it!" exclaimed
 
 304 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 his sister, a flood of light suddenly bursting in 
 upon her. 
 
 "I shouldn't wonder; but I didn't know I got up 
 in ray sleep any of late years," replied Ruel, with a 
 sheepish look, as he thought of the mischief which 
 his involuntary act had caused. 
 
 "You ain't to blame, of course. I hain't seen 
 much of you sence I was married, and I never 
 thought of sech a thing as your gittin up in your 
 sleep now days." 
 
 " I remember now that my hands were covered 
 with crock in the morning after I slept with 
 Levi; but I didn't think anything of it. I sup 
 posed I got it on somewhere round the stove," 
 added Ruel. 
 
 " Yes, and I found the sheets smooched too ; but 
 Levi's allers into the dirt so deep that it didn't strike 
 me as anything strange," said his sister. 
 
 " I'm very sorry for the trouble I've caused ; but 
 I didn't mean to do it." 
 
 "Of course you couldn't help it. One thing is 
 Bartin, now, that Levi didn't steal that money." 
 
 " I s'pose he didn't ; but I guess it ain't best
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 305 
 
 to say anything about this matter," said Mr. 
 Fail-field. 
 
 " Not say anything about it ! " exclaimed Ruel, 
 rising up in the bed. 
 
 " Tain't best is it ! " 
 
 " I think it is ; we'll tell the truth, at any 
 rate." 
 
 Ruel was an honest man, and he was not willing 
 that even a suspicion should any longer rest upon 
 Levi while he had the means of exonerating him. 
 
 " I don't know how it'll work to tell on't," said 
 Mr. Fail-field. 
 
 " I don't care how it works. No harm has been 
 done to any one yet. You changed the bills in the 
 hands of Mr. Hatch, Nathan. That was wrong." 
 
 "But I was just as sartin as I could be that Levi 
 stole that money." 
 
 " Well, why didn't you tell of it when you found 
 it in the chimney ? " demanded Ruel, indignantly. 
 
 "I was just as sartin that Levi hid it there. All 
 I wanted was to keep the boy from foolin away 
 his money." 
 
 Ruel was not willing to believe this. He was 
 26*
 
 306 THE STARKY FLAG, OB 
 
 satisfied that the miser intended to convict the boy 
 of the crime, and he was determined that the whole 
 truth should be told. The parties all went back to 
 bed. In the morning Ruol went to Squire Saunders, 
 full of mortification and regret, and narrated the 
 scene we have described, deducing from the fact 
 that his hands were covered with " crock " on the 
 morning after the loss of his money the real 
 truth, that he had hidden the wallet in the chim 
 ney himself. Mr. Watson, Mr. Gayles, and Levi 
 were sent for, and the whole matter was carefully 
 considered. While the party in the lawyer's office 
 were thus occupied, Mr. Fairfield and his wife ap 
 peared, for the miser was unwilling that anything 
 about him should be said behind his back. 
 
 Ruel, in his anxiety for the safety of his money, 
 during his first visit, had dreamed about it, and be 
 ing a sleep-walker, had risen from his bed under the 
 influence of this anxiety, and placed the wallet where 
 his brother-in-law had found it. After the second 
 examination, he and Mr. Fairfield had conversed till 
 a late hour at night about the guilt of Levi, and 
 doubtless the excitement had followed him into hii
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 307 
 
 sleep ; and again dreaming of his wallet, he had got 
 up to search for it. This explanation, with the testi 
 mony of his sister in regard to his early sleep-walk 
 ing habit, fully satisfied those present that the real 
 truth had been reached at last. It cleared Levi of 
 even the shadow of a suspicion. 
 
 It also relieved Mr. Fail-field of the guilt of steal 
 ing the wallet, but not of the fact that he had 
 changed the bills; and it was in vain for him to 
 plead that he had done so only to prevent Levi 
 from "foolin away the money." 
 
 " Mr. Fairfield," said Squire Saunders, " you have 
 proved that you are not a fit person to have the 
 charge of a young man like Levi." 
 
 " Why not, I'd like to know," demanded the 
 miser. 
 
 "In the first place, you are not an honest man. 
 You have done your best to convict the young 
 man of a crime of which he was not guilty." 
 
 " I had good reason to believe he was guilty." 
 
 "You had no right to change the bills; and you 
 are guilty of perjury and conspiracy. You have 
 done enough to send you to the State Prison now."
 
 308 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 " For pity's sake ! " ejaculated Mrs. Fail-field. 
 
 " I do not know that it is advisable to proceed 
 against you ; but it is certainly highly improper 
 that you should continue to be the guardian of 
 your nephew, or that his property should be longer 
 intrusted to your keeping. Levi, do you wish to 
 remain with your uncle?" continued Squire Saun- 
 ders, turning to the young fisherman. 
 
 "No, sir," replied he, decidedly. 
 
 "Then you may petition the Probate Court to 
 remove your guardian and appoint another. Do 
 you think of any person you would like to have?" 
 
 "Yes, sir Mr. Gayles." 
 
 "Very well; I will see that the proper papers are 
 made out." 
 
 Levi had no malice against his uncle, for he had 
 not vainly studied the words and contemplated the 
 divine example of Him who said, " Love your ene 
 mies, bless them that curse you, do good to them 
 that hate you, and pray for them which despite- 
 fully use you and persecute you." It was not neces 
 sary that he should live with his uncle, and be 
 starved and buffeted in the future as he had been
 
 THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OP CAPE ANN. 309 
 
 in the past; but it was necessary that no thought 
 of evil or revenge should lurk in his heart. 
 
 Mr. "Watson, Mr. Gayles, and others thought that 
 Mr. Fairfield should be prosecuted for perjury in 
 swearing that he did not change the bills, and 
 for conspiracy in attempting to procure the con 
 viction of his ward ; but Levi pleaded for him, and 
 begged that no steps might be taken. 
 
 "Now, Levi, you must dine with us to-day," said 
 Mr. Watson. " Bessie is not satisfied when you are 
 out of sight. And, Mr. Gayles, you must come 
 too." 
 
 Bessie welcomed the young fisherman like a broth 
 er, and as the truest of friends. They talked over 
 the cruise of The Starry Flag till dinner time, and 
 Levi insisted that the excursion to Thatcher's Island 
 should take place the next day. 
 
 " Mr. Gayles, you are to be Levi's guardian ; I sup 
 pose it is a settled fact," said Mr. Watson, as the 
 party seated themselves under the piazza, on the 
 shady side of the house, after dinner. 
 
 "If I am I shall do the best I can for him," 
 replied Mr. Gayles. " If it hadn't been for him,
 
 310 THE STARRY FLAG, OR 
 
 i should not be here now, for he saved my lift! 
 even while I had a warrant for his arrest in my 
 pocket." 
 
 " You have been a good friend to him, and he 
 believes in you to use his own expression. Yes 
 terday I made arrangements to pay that wretch, Dock 
 Vincent, twenty-two thousand dollars to restore Bessie 
 to me. If Levi had not returned with her as he did, 
 I should have been on my way to Bangor in the 
 afternoon. The money was nothing; but it seems to 
 me no more than right that I should do as much 
 for Levi honest, faithful, and brave as I was 
 willing to do for that miserable, cowardly scoun 
 drel who carried off my child. As Boon, there 
 fore, as you are appointed the guardian of Levi, 
 I shall pay over to you the sum of twenty-two 
 thousand dollars, to be held in trust for him until 
 he is twenty-one, when it shall be his own." 
 
 " No, sir ! " protested Levi. " I don't want any 
 thing of that sort done. I don't do that kind of 
 jobs for money." 
 
 Mr. Watson was determined to have his own way, 
 and Levi, in spite of himself, was made a rich man.
 
 THE YOUNG FISIIEIt&IAN OF CAPE ANX. oil 
 
 At the next session of the Probate Court, Mr. Fair- 
 field was removed, and Mr. Gayles appointed the 
 guardian of Levi. The miser groaned when he was 
 compelled to give up the property of his late ward. 
 It was like taking out his teeth, especially as Mr. 
 Gayles inquired very closely into every investment, 
 and refused to pay some exorbitant bills for board 
 and clothing. But the business was happily finished, 
 and Levi was duly installed in his new home at 
 Mr. Gayles's house. 
 
 Dock Vincent, when he found he could not over 
 take The Starry Flag, put back to a port in Maine, 
 where he sold his vessel and paid off his men. It 
 was several weeks before he ventured to appear on 
 Cape Ann again; but even that tune was too soon, 
 for he was arrested, tried, and sentenced to the State 
 Prison for a term long enough to give him ample 
 opportunity for repentance and reformation. 
 
 Mr. Watson has paid over the twenty-two thou 
 sand dollars to Levi's guardian; Mr. Hatch has re 
 ceived the money for The Starry Flag; and the 
 young fisherman is no longer obliged to catch dog-
 
 312 THE STARRY FLAG. 
 
 fish to obtain a comfortable living and a good edu. 
 cation. 
 
 The excursion to Thatcher's Island came off as 
 arranged, and the party had a splendid time ; and, 
 though Jenny and Estelle "made fun" at the ex 
 pense of Levi and Bessie, the latter seemed to en 
 joy it quite as much as her companions. 
 
 Mr. Watson purposes to erect a summer resi 
 dence at Rockport, for Bessie declares that she 
 must go there every season as long as she lives. 
 Last spring, Levi spent a fortnight in Boston ; and 
 he was dressed so nicely and looked so manly, be 
 sides being so brave, noble, and good, that Bessie 
 was proud to go with him to the concerts and lec 
 tures ; and withal, he invariably created quite a 
 sensation when he was introduced. Knowing peo 
 ple declare that he will eventually possess all Mr. 
 Watson's large property; for Bessie still thinks 
 there is no young man like Levi, and takes the 
 greatest delight in telling about THE STARRY FLAG, 
 and THE YOUNG FISHERMAN or CAPE ANN.
 
 OLIVER OPTICS BOOKS 
 
 All'Over-the- World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. First Series 
 Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. A missing Million; OR, THE ADVENTURES OP Louis BELGRADE. 
 
 2. A Millionaire at Sixteen; OK, THE CRUISE OF THE " GUARDIAN 
 
 MOTHER." 
 
 3. A Young Knight Errant; OR, CRUISING IN THE WEST INDIES. 
 
 4. Strange Sights Abroad; OR, ADVENTURES IN EUROPEAN WATERS. 
 
 No author has come before the public during the present generation who 
 
 tairiing series " around the world." As a means to this end. the hero of the 
 story purchases a steamer which he names the " Guardian Mother," and 
 with a number of guests she proceeds on her voyage. Christian Work, N. Y. 
 
 A.ll-Over-tlie-World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Second 
 Series. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. American Boys Afloat; OR, CRUISING IN THE ORIENT. 
 
 2. The Young Navigators ; OR, THE FOREIGN CRUISE OF THB 
 
 " MAUD." 
 
 3. Up and Down the Nile ; OR, YOUNG ADVENTURERS IN AFRICA. 
 
 4. Asiatic Brrezes ; OR, STUDENTS ON THE WING. 
 
 The interest in these stories is continuous, and there is a great variety ot 
 exciting incident woven into the solid information which the book imparts so 
 generously and without the -slightest suspicion of dryness. Manly boys 
 will welcome this volume as cordially as they did its predecessors. Boston 
 Gazette, 
 
 All-Oyer-the- World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Third Se 
 ries. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. Across India ; OR, LIVE BOYS IN THE FAR EAST. 
 
 ii. Half Round the "World; OR, AMONG THE UNCIVILIZED. 
 
 3. Four Y'ouiig Explorers ; OR, SIGHT-SEEING IN THE TROPICS. 
 
 4. Pacific Shores ; OR, ADVENTURES IN EASTERN SEAS. 
 
 Amid such new and varied surroundings it would be surprising indeed if the 
 author, with his faculty of making even the commonplace attractive, did not 
 tell an intensely interesting story of adventure, as well as give much informa 
 tion in regard to the distant countries through which our friends pass, and 
 the strange peoples with whom they are brought in contact. This book, -ind 
 indeed the whole series, is admirably adapted to reading aloud in the family 
 circle, each volume containing matter which will interest all the members of 
 the family. Boston Budget. 
 
 LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE.
 
 OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS 
 
 The Blue and the Gray Afloat. By OLIVER OPTIC- Six 
 
 volumes. Illustrated. Beautiful binding in blue and gray, 
 with emblematic dies. Cloth. Any volume sold separately. 
 Price per volume, $1.50. 
 
 1. Taken by the Enemy. 4. Stand by the Union. 
 
 2. Within the Enemy's Lines. 5. Fighting for the Right. 
 
 3. On the Blockade. 6. A Victorious Union. 
 
 The Blue and the Gray on Land. 
 
 1. Brother against Brother. 4. On the Staff. 
 
 2. In the Saddh-. 5. At the Front. 
 
 3. A Lieutenant at Eighteen. 6. An Undivided Union. 
 
 "There never has been a more interesting 1 writer in the field of juvenilt 
 literature than Mr. W. T. ADAMS, who, under his well-known pseudonym, is 
 known and admired by every boy and girl in the country, and by thousands 
 who have long since passed the boundaries of youth, yet who remember with 
 pleasure the genial, interesting pen that did so much to interest, instruct, and 
 
 ig style 
 
 series is as bright and entertaining as any work that Mr. ADAMS has yet put 
 forth, and will be as eagerly perused as any that has borne his name. It would 
 not be fair to the prospective reader to deprive him of the zest which comes 
 from the unexpected by entering into a synopsis of the .~i:orv. A word, how 
 ever, should be said in regard to the beauty and appropriateness of the binding, 
 which makes it a most attractive volume." Boston Budget. 
 
 Woodville Stories. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illus 
 trated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. Rich and Humble; OR, THE MISSION OF BERTHA GRANT. 
 
 2. In School and Out; OR, THE CONQUEST OF RICHARD GRANT. 
 
 3. Watch and Wait; OR, THE YOUNG FUGITIVES. 
 
 4. Work and Win; OR, NODDY NEWMAN ON A CRUISE. 
 
 5. Hope and Have; OR, FANNY GRANT AMONG THE INDIANS 
 
 6. Haste and Waste; OR, THE YOUNG PILOT OF LAKE CHAMPLAII*. 
 " Though we are not so young as we once were, we relished these stories 
 
 almost as much as the boys and girls for whom they were written. They we:f 
 really refreshing, even to us. There is much in them which is calculated 13 
 inspire a generous, healthy ambition, and to make distasteful all reading tend 
 ing to stimulate base desires." Fitchburg Reveille. 
 
 The Starry Flag Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. 
 Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, 
 
 $1.25. 
 
 1. The Starry Flag; OR, THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN. 
 
 2. Breaking Away; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STUDENT. 
 
 3. Seek and Find; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A SMART BOY. 
 
 4. Freaks of Fortune; OR, HALF ROUND THE WORLD. 
 6. Make or Break; OR, THE RICH MAN'S DAUGHTER. 
 
 6. Down the River; OR, BUCK BRADFORD AND THE TYRANTS. 
 
 " Mr. ADAMS, the celebrated and popular writer, familiarly known as OLIVKR 
 OPTIC, seems to have inexhaustible funds for weaving together the virtues of 
 life; and, notwithstanding he has written scores of books, the same freshness 
 and novelty run through them all. Some people think the sensational element 
 predominates. Perhaps it does. But a book fbr young people needs this, and 
 so long as good sentiments are inculcated such books ought to be read." 
 
 LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE.
 
 OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS 
 
 Army and Kavy Stories. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. 
 Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, 
 $1.25. 
 
 1. The Soldier Boy; OR, TOM SOMKRS IN THE ARMY. 
 
 2. The Sailor Boy; OR, JACK SOMERS IN THE NAVY. 
 
 3. The Young Lieutenant; OR, ADVENTURES OF AN ARMY OFFICER. 
 
 4. The Yankee Middy; OR, ADVENTURES OF A NAVY OFFICER. 
 
 5. Fighting Joe; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STAFF OFFICER. 
 
 6. Brave Old Salt; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK. 
 
 "This series of six volumes recounts the adventures of two brothers, Tom 
 and Ja;k Somers, one in the army, the other in the navy, in the great Civil War. 
 The romantic narratives of the fortunes and exploits of the brothers are thrill 
 ing 1 in the extreme. Historical accuracy in the recital of the great events of 
 that period is strictly followed, and the result is, not only a library of entertain 
 ing volumes, but also the best history of the Civil War for young people ever 
 written." 
 
 Boat Builders Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. 
 
 Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, 
 
 $1.25. 
 
 1. All Adrift; OR, THE GOLDWING CLUB. 
 J5. Snug Harbor; OR, THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS. 
 
 3. Square and Compasses; OR, BUILDING THE HOUSE. 
 
 4. Stem to Stern; OR, BUILDING THE BOAT. 
 
 5. All Taut; OR, RIGGING THE BOAT. 
 
 6. Beady About; OR, SAILING THE BOAT. 
 
 " The series includes in six successive volumes the whole art of boat building, 
 boat rigging, boat managing, and practical hints to make the ownership of a 
 boat pay. A great deal of useful information is given in this Boat Builders 
 Series, and in <ach book a very interesting story is interwoven with the infor 
 mation. Every reader will be interested at once in Dory, the hero of 'All 
 Adrift," and one of the characters retained in the subsequent volumes of the 
 series. His friends will not want to lose sight of him, and every boy who 
 makes his acquaintance in ' All Adrift ' will become his friend." 
 
 Riverdale Story Books. By OLIVER OPTIC. Twelve vol 
 umes. Illustrated. Illuminated covers. Price: cloth, per 
 set, $3.60; per volume, 30 cents; paper, per set, $2.00. 
 
 1. Little Merchant. 7. Proud and Lazy. 
 
 2. Young Voyagers. 8. Careless Kate. 
 
 3. Christmas Gift. 9. Robinson Crusoe, Jr. 
 
 4. Dolly and I. 1O. The Picnic Party. 
 
 5. Uncle Ben. 11. The Gold Thimble. 
 
 6. Birthday Party. 12. The Do-Somethings. 
 
 Riverdale Story Books. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. 
 
 Illustrated. Fancy cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 
 
 cents. 
 
 J. Little Merchant. 4. Careless Kate. 
 
 8. Proud and Lazy. 5. Dolly and I. 
 
 3. Young Voyagers. 6. Robinson Crusoe, Jr. 
 
 Flora Lee Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illus 
 trated. Fancy cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 
 cents. 
 
 1. The Picnic Party. 4. Christmas Gift. 
 
 2. The Gold Thimble. 5. Uncle Ben. 
 
 3. The Do-Somethings. 6. Birthday Party. 
 
 These are bright short stories for younger children who are unable to com 
 
 " They 
 
 LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FRFF
 
 OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS 
 
 The Great Western Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six yol- 
 umes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per 
 volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. Going West; OR, THE PERILS OF A POOR Bov, 
 ". Out West; OR, ROUGHING IT ON THE GREAT LAKES. 
 
 3. L,ake Breezes; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE SYLVANIA. 
 
 4. Going South; OR, YACHTING ON THE ATLANTIC COAST. 
 
 5. Down South; OR, YACHT ADVENTURES IN FLORIDA. 
 G. Up tho River; OR, YACHTING ON THE MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 "This is the latest scries of books issued by this popular writer, and deal r 
 with life on the Great Lakes, for which a careful study was made by the author 
 in a summer tour of the immense water sources of America. The story, which 
 carries the same hero through the six books of the series, is always entertain- 
 in?, novel scenes and varied incidents giving a constantly changing- yet always 
 attractive aspect to the narrative. OLIVER OPTIC has written nothing better." 
 
 The Yacht Club Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. r.i six volumes. 
 Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, 
 $1.25. 
 
 1. Little Bobtail; OR, THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT. 
 
 2. The Yacht Club; OR, THE YOUNG BOAT BUILDERS. 
 
 3. Money-Maker; OR, THE VICTORY OF THE BASILISK. 
 
 4. The Coming Wave; OR, THE TREASURE OF HIGH ROCK, 
 
 5. The Dorcas Club; OR, OUR GIRLS AFLOAT. 
 G. Ocean Born; on, THE CRUISE OF THE CLUBS. 
 
 "The series has this peculiarity, that all of its constituent volumes are inde 
 pendent of one another, and therefore each story is complete in itself. OLIVER 
 OPTIC is, perhaps, the favorite author of the boys and girls of this countrv, and 
 he seems destined to enjoy an endless popularity. He deserves his success, 
 for he makes very interesting stories, and inculcates none but the best senti 
 ments, and the 'Yacht Club" is no exception to this rule." New Haven 
 Journal and Courier. 
 
 Onward and Upward Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six 
 
 volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price 
 per volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. Field and Forest; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A FARMER. 
 
 2. Plane and Plank; OR, THE MISHAPS OF A MECHANIC. 
 
 3. Desk and Debit; OR, THE CATASTROPHES OF A CLERK. 
 
 4. Cringle and Crosstree; OR, THE SEA SWASHES OF A SAILOR. 
 
 5. Bivouac and Battle; OR, THE STRUGGLES OF A SOLDIER. 
 
 6. Sea and Shore; OR, THE TRAMPS OF A TRAVELLER. 
 
 "Paul Farringford, the hero of these tales, is, like most of this author's 
 heroes, a young man of high spirit, and of high aims and correct principles, 
 appearing in the different volumes as a farmer, a captain, a bookkeeper, a 
 soldier, a snilor, and a traveller. In all of them the hero meets with very 
 exciting adventures, told in the graphic style for which the author is famous. 
 
 The Liake Shore Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. 
 Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, 
 $1.25. 
 
 1. Through, by Daylight; OR, THE YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE LAKH 
 
 SHORE RAILROAD. 
 
 2. lightning Express; OR, THE RIVAL ACADEMIES. 
 
 3. On Time; OR, THE YOUNG CAPTAIN OF THE UCAYGA STEAMER. 
 
 4. Switch Off; OR, THE WAR OF THE STUDENTS. 
 6. Brake Up; OR, THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS. 
 
 6. Bear and Forbear; OR, THE YOUNG SKIPPER OF LAKE UCAYGA. 
 
 " OLIVER OPTIC is one of the most fascinating writers for youth, and withal 
 one of the best to be found in this or any past age. Troops of young people 
 hang 1 over his vivid pages; and not one of them ever learned to be mean, ignoble, 
 cowardly, selfish, or to yield to any vice from anything they ever read from his 
 pen." Providence Pres~, 
 
 LEE AND SHEPARD. BOSTON. SEND THEIR COMPLETE GATALOGUE FREE.
 
 OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS 
 
 The Famous Boat Club Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six 
 
 volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. Price 
 per volume $1.25. 
 
 1. The Boat Club ; OR, THE BUNKERS OF RIPPLETON. 
 
 3. All Aboard $ OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE. 
 
 3. Now or UTever; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT. 
 
 4. Try Again; OR, THE -TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF HARRY WEST. 
 
 5. Poor and Proud ; OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN. 
 . Little by Little ; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY. 
 
 " This is the first series of books written for the young by OLIVER OPTIC. 
 It laid the foundation for his fame as the first of authors in which the young 
 delight, and gained for him the title of the Prince of Story Tellers. The six 
 books are varied in incident and plot, but all are entertaining and original." 
 
 (Other volumes in preparation.) 
 
 Young America Abroad: A LIBRARY OF TRAVEL AND 
 ADVENTURE IN FOREIGN LANDS. By OLIVER OPTIC. Illus 
 trated by NAST and others. First Series. Six volumes. 
 Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. Outward Bound; OR, YOUNG AMERICA AFLOAT. 
 
 2. Shamrock and Thistle; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN IRELAND AND 
 
 SCOTLAND. 
 S. Red Cross; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ENGLAND AND WALES. 
 
 4. Dikes and Ditches; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN HOLLAND AND 
 
 BELGIUM. 
 
 5. Palace and Cottage; OR, YOUNG AMERICA, IN FRANCE AND 
 
 SWITZERLAND. 
 
 6. Down the Rhine; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY, 
 
 "The story from its inception, and through the twelve volumes (see Second 
 Series), is a bew'tching one, while the information imparted concerning the 
 countries of Europe ana the isles of the sea is not only correct in every particu 
 lar, but is told in a captivating style. OLIVER OPTIC will continue to be the 
 boys' friend, and his pleasant books will continue to be read by thousands of 
 American boys. What a fine holiday present either or both series of ' Young 
 America Abroad ' would be for a young friend ! It would make a little library 
 highly prized by the recipient, and would not be an expensive one." Provi 
 dence Press. 
 
 Young 1 America Abroad. By OLIVER OPTIC. Second Series. 
 Six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume sold separately. 
 Price per volume, $1.25. 
 
 1. Up the Baltic; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN NORWAY, SWEDEN, AND 
 
 DENMARK. 
 
 2. Northern Lands; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN RUSSIA AND PKUSSIA. 
 
 3. Cross and Crescent; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN TURKEY AND GKEI-CE. 
 
 4. Sunny Shores; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN ITALY AND AUSTKIA. 
 
 6. Vine and Olive; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. 
 6. Isles of the Sea; OR, YOUNG AMERICA HOMEWARD BOUND. 
 " OLIVER OPTIC is a nom deplume that is known and loved by almost every 
 boy of intelligence in the land. We have seen a highly intellectual and world- 
 
 ness, can thus find pleasure in a book for boys, no additional words of recoo 
 mendation are needed." Sunday Times. 
 
 LEE AND SHEPARD, BOSTON, SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE.
 
 LEE AND SHEPARD'S ILLUSTRATED JUVENILES 
 
 J. T. TROWBRIDGE'S BOOKS 
 
 THE START IN LIFE SERIES. 4 volumes. 
 
 A. Start in Life : A STORY OF THE GENESEE COUNTRY. By 
 J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.00. 
 
 In this story the author recounts the hardships of a young lad in his first 
 endeavor to start out for himself. It is a tale that is full of enthusiasm and 
 budding- hopes. The writer shows how hard the youths of a century ago were 
 compelled to work. This he does in an entertaining way, mingling- fun and 
 adventures with their daily labors. The hero is a striking example of the 
 honest boy, who is not too lazy to work, nor too dull to thoroughly appreciate 
 a joke. 
 
 Biding His Time. By J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.00. 
 
 " It is full of spirit and adventure, and presents a plucky hero who was willing 
 to ' bide his time," no matter how great the expectations that he indulged in 
 from his uncle's vast wealth, which he did not in the least covet. . . . He was 
 left a poor orphan in Ohio at seventeen years of age, and soon after heard of a 
 rich uncle, who lived near Boston. He sets off on the long- journey to Boston, 
 finds his uncle, an eccentric old man, is hospitably received by him, but seeks 
 employment in a humble way, and proves that he is a persevering and plucky 
 young man." Boston Home Journal. 
 
 The Kelp Gatherers: A STORY OF THE MAINE COAST. By 
 J. T. TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.00. 
 
 This book is full of interesting information upon the plant life of the sea 
 shore, and the life of marine animals; but it is also a bright and readable 
 story, with all the hints of character and the vicissitudes of human life, in 
 depicting which the author is an acknowledged master. 
 
 The Scarlet Taiiager, AND OTHER BIPEDS. By J. T. 
 TROWBRIDGE. Illustrated. $1.00. 
 
 Every new story which Mr. TROWBRIDGE begins is followed through succes 
 sive chapters by thousands who have read and re-read many times his preceding- 
 tales. One of his greatest charms is his absolute truthfulness. lie docs not 
 depict little saints, or incorrigible rasc;.'s, but just boys. This same fidelity to 
 nature is seen in his latest book, "The Scarlet Tanager, and Other Bipeds." 
 There is enough adventure in this tale to commend it to the liveliest reader, 
 nd all the lessons it teaches are wholesome. 
 
 LEE AND SHEPARX BOSTON. SEND THEIR COMPLETE CATALOGUE FREE.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 ' This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
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 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
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