下载辰思小说免费APP
CaptainSandersonnowputhispipebackintohismouth，andCaptainBurresstookouthispipe。
"Iwasonceinanobelisk-ship，"saidhe，"thatusedtotraderegularbetweenEgyptandNewYork，carryingobelisks。Wehadabigobeliskonboard。Thewaytheyshipobelisksistomakeaholeinthesternoftheship，andruntheobeliskin，p\'intedendforemost；andthisobeliskfilledupnearlythewholeofthatshipfromsterntobow。Wewasabouttendaysout，andsailingaforeanortheastgalewiththeenginesatfullspeed，whensuddenlywespiedbreakersahead，andourCaptainsawwewasabouttorunonabank。Nowifwehadn\'thadanobeliskonboardwemighthavesailedoverthatbank，butthecaptainknewthatwithanobeliskonboardwedrewtoomuchwaterforthis，andthatwe\'dbewreckedinaboutfifty-fivesecondsifsomethingwasn\'tdonequick。Sohehadtodosomethingquick，andthisiswhathedid：Heorderedallsteamon，anddroveslam-bangonthatbank。Justasheexpected，westoppedsosuddintthatthatbigobeliskbouncedfor\'ard，itsp\'intedendforemost，andwentcleanthroughthebowandshotoutintothesea。Theminuteitdidthatthevesselwassolightenedthatitroseinthewaterandweeasilysteamedoverthebank。Therewasonemanknockedoverboardbytheshockwhenwestruck，butassoonaswemissedhimwewentbackafterhimandwegothimallright。Yousee，whenthatobeliskwentoverboard，itsbutt-end，whichwasheaviest，wentdownfirst，andwhenittouchedthebottomitjuststoodthere，andasitwassuchabigobelisktherewasaboutfiveandahalffeetofitstuckoutofthewater。Themanwhowasknockedoverboardhejustswumforthatobeliskandheclimbedupthehiryglyphics。Itwasamightyfineobelisk，andtheEgyptianshadcuttheirhiryglyphicsgoodanddeep，sothatthemancouldgethandandfoot-hold；andwhenwegottohimandtookhimoff，hewassittinghighanddryonthep\'intedendofthatobelisk。Itwasagreatpityabouttheobelisk，foritwasagoodobelisk，butasIneverheardthecompanytriedtoraiseit，Iexpectitisstandingthereyet。"
CaptainBurressnowputhispipebackintohismouthandlookedatCaptainJenkinson，whoremovedhispipeandsaid：
"Thequeerestthingthateverhappenedtomewasaboutashark。WewasofftheBanks，andthetimeofyearwasJuly，andtheicewascomingdown，andwegotinamongalotofit。Notfaraway，offourweatherbow，therewasalittleicebergwhichhadsuchaqueernessaboutitthatthecaptainandthreemenwentinaboattolookatit。Theicewasmightyclearice，andyoucouldseealmostthroughit，andrightinsideofit，notmorethanthreefeetabovethewaterline，andabouttwofeet，ormaybetwentyinches，insidetheice，wasawhoppingbigshark，aboutfourteenfeetlong，——aregularman-eater，——frozenintherehardandfast。`Blessmysoul，\'saidthecaptain，`thisisawonderfulcuriosity，andI\'mgoingtogithimout。\'Justthenoneofthemensaidhesawthatsharkwink，butthecaptainwouldn\'tbelievehim，forhesaidthatsharkwasfrozenstiffandhardandcouldn\'twink。Yousee，thecaptainhadhisownideesaboutthings，andheknewthatwhaleswaswarm-bloodedandwouldfreezeiftheywasshutupinice，butheforgotthatsharkswasnotwhalesandthatthey\'recold-bloodedjustliketoads。Andthereistoadsthathasbeenshutupinrocksforthousandsofyears，andtheystayedalive，nomatterhowcoldtheplacewas，becausetheywascold-blooded，andwhentherockswassplit，outhoppedthefrog。But，asIsaidbefore，thecaptainforgotsharkswascold-blooded，andhedeterminedtogitthatoneout。
"Nowyoubothknow，beinghousekeepers，thatifyoutakeaneedleanddriveitintoahunkoficeyoucansplitit。Thecaptainhadasail-needlewithhim，andsohedroveitintotheicebergrightalongsideofthesharkandsplitit。Nowtheminutehediditheknewthatthemanwasrightwhenhesaidhesawthesharkwink，foritfloppedoutofthaticebergquickernoraflashoflightning。"
"Whatahappyfishhemusthavebeen！"ejaculatedDorcas，forgetfulofprecedent，sogreatwasheremotion。
"Yes，"saidCaptainJenkinson，"itwasahappyfishenough，butitwasn\'tahappycaptain。Yousee，thatsharkhadn\'thadanythingtoeat，perhapsforathousandyears，untilthecaptaincamealongwithhissail-needle。"
"Surelyyousailormendoseestrangethings，"nowsaidthewidow，"andthestrangestthingaboutthemisthattheyaretrue。"
"Yes，indeed，"saidDorcas，"thatisthemostwonderfulthing。"
"Youwouldn\'tsuppose，"saidtheWidowDucket，glancingfromonebenchofmarinerstotheother，"thatIhaveasea-storytotell，butIhave，andifyoulikeIwilltellittoyou。"
CaptainBirdlookedupalittlesurprised。
"Wewouldliketohearit——indeed，wewould，madam，"saidhe。
"Ay，ay！"saidCaptainBurress，andthetwoothermarinersnodded。
"Itwasagoodwhileago，"shesaid，"whenIwaslivingontheshoreneartheheadofthebay，thatmyhusbandwasawayandIwasleftaloneinthehouse。Onemornin\'mysister-in-law，wholivedontheothersideofthebay，sentmewordbyaboyonahorsethatshehadn\'tanyoilinthehousetofillthelampthatshealwaysputinthewindowtolightherhusbandhome，whowasafisherman，andifIwouldsendhersomebytheboyshewouldpaymebackassoonastheyboughtoil。Theboysaidhewouldstoponhiswayhomeandtaketheoiltoher，butheneverdidstop，orperhapsheneverwentback，andaboutfiveo\'clockI
begantogetdreadfullyworried，forIknewifthatlampwasn\'tinmysister-in-law\'swindowbydarkshemightbeawidowbeforemidnight。SoIsaidtomyself，`I\'vegottogetthatoiltoher，nomatterwhathappensorhowit\'sdone。\'OfcourseIcouldn\'ttellwhatmighthappen，buttherewasonlyonewayitcouldbedone，andthatwasformetogetintotheboatthatwastiedtothepostdownbythewater，andtakeittoher，foritwastoofarformetowalkaroundbytheheadofthebay。Now，thetroublewas，Ididn\'tknownomoreaboutaboatandthemanagin\'
ofitthananyoneofyousailormenknowsaboutclearstarchin\'。
Buttherewasn\'tnouseofthinkin\'whatIknewandwhatIdidn\'tknow，forIhadtotakeittoher，andtherewasnowayofdoin\'
itexceptinthatboat。SoIfilledagalloncan，forIthoughtImightaswelltakeenoughwhileIwasaboutit，andIwentdowntothewaterandIunhitchedthatboatandIputtheoil-canintoher，andthenIgotin，andoffIstarted，andwhenIwasaboutaquarterofamilefromtheshore——"
"Madam，"interruptedCaptainBird，"didyourowor——orwasthereasailtotheboat？"
Thewidowlookedatthequestionerforamoment。"No，"
saidshe，"Ididn\'trow。Iforgottobringtheoarsfromthehouse；butitdidn\'tmatter，forIdidn\'tknowhowtousethem，andiftherehadbeenasailIcouldn\'thaveputitup，forI
didn\'tknowhowtouseit，either。Iusedtheruddertomaketheboatgo。TherudderwastheonlythingIknewanythingabout。
I\'dheldarudderwhenIwasalittlegirl，andIknewhowtoworkit。SoIjusttookholdofthehandleoftherudderandturneditroundandround，andthatmadetheboatgoahead，youknow，and——"
"Madam！"exclaimedCaptainBird，andtheotherelderlymarinerstooktheirpipesfromtheirmouths。
"Yes，thatisthewayIdidit，"continuedthewidow，briskly。"Bigsteamshipsaremadetogobyapropellerturningroundandroundattheirbackends，andImadetherudderworkinthesameway，andIgotalongverywell，too，untilsuddenly，whenIwasaboutaquarterofamilefromtheshore，amostterribleandawfulstormarose。Theremusthavebeenatyphoonoracycloneoutatsea，forthewavescameupthebaybiggerthanhouses，andwhentheygottotheheadofthebaytheyturnedaroundandtriedtogetouttoseaagain。Sointhiswaytheycontinuallymet，andmadethemostawfulandroarin\'pilin\'upofwavesthateverwasknown。
"Mylittleboatwaspitchedaboutasifithadbeenafeatherinabreeze，andwhenthefrontpartofitwascleavin\'itselfdownintothewaterthehindpartwasstickin\'upuntiltherudderwhizzedaroundlikeapatentchurnwithnomilkinit。
Thethunderbegantoroarandthelightnin\'flashed，andthreeseagulls，sonearlyfrightenedtodeaththattheybegantoturnupthewhitesoftheireyes，flewdownandsatononeoftheseatsoftheboat，forgettin\'inthatawfulmomentthatmanwastheirnat\'ralenemy。Ihadacoupleofbiscuitsinmypocket，becauseIhadthoughtImightwantabiteincrossing，andI
crumbleduponeoftheseandfedthepoorcreatures。ThenI
begantowonderwhatIwasgoin\'todo，forthingsweregettin\'
awfullerandawfullereveryinstant，andthelittleboatwasa-
heavin\'anda-pitchin\'anda-rollin\'andh\'istin\'itselfup，firstononeendandthenontheother，tosuchanextentthatifIhadn\'tkepttightholdoftherudder-handleI\'dslippedofftheseatIwassittin\'on。
"AllofasuddenIrememberedthatoilinthecan；butjustasIwasputtin\'myfingersonthecorkmyconsciencesmoteme。
`AmIgoin\'tousethisoil，\'Isaidtomyself，`andletmysister-in-law\'shusbandbewreckedforwantofit？\'AndthenI
thoughtthathewouldn\'twantitallthatnight，andperhapstheywouldbuyoilthenextday，andsoIpouredoutaboutatumblerfulofitonthewater，andIcanjusttellyousailormenthatyouneversawanythingactaspromptasthatdid。Inthreeseconds，orperhapsfive，thewaterallaroundme，forthedistanceofasmallfrontyard，wasjustasflatasatableandassmoothasglass，andsoinvitin\'inappearancethatthethreegullsjumpedoutoftheboatandbegantoswimaboutonit，primin\'theirfeathersandlookin\'atthemselvesinthetransparentdepths，thoughImustsaythatoneofthemmadeanawfulfaceashedippedhisbillintothewaterandtastedkerosene。
"NowIhadtimetositquietinthemidstoftheplacidspaceIhadmadeformyself，andrestfromworkin\'oftherudder。
Trulyitwasawonderfulandmarvellousthingtolookat。Thewaveswasroarin\'andleapin\'upallaroundmehigherthantheroofofthishouse，andsometimestheirtopswouldreachoversothattheynearlymetandshutoutallviewofthestormysky，whichseemedasifitwasbein\'torntopiecesbyblazin\'
lightnin\'，whilethethunderpealedsotremendousthatitalmostdrownedtheroarofthewaves。Notonlyaboveandallaroundmewaseverythingterrificandfearful，butevenundermeitwasthesame，fortherewasabigcrackinthebottomoftheboataswideasmyhand，andthroughthisIcouldseedownintothewaterbeneath，andtherewas——"
"Madam！"ejaculatedCaptainBird，thehandwhichhadbeenholdinghispipeafewinchesfromhismouthnowdroppingtohisknee；andatthismotionthehandswhichheldthepipesofthethreeothermarinersdroppedtotheirknees。
"Ofcourseitsoundsstrange，"continuedthewidow，"butI
knowthatpeoplecanseedownintoclearwater，andthewaterundermewasclear，andthecrackwaswideenoughformetoseethrough，anddownundermewassharksandswordfishesandotherhorriblewatercreatures，whichIhadneverseenbefore，alldrivenintothebay，Ihaven\'tadoubt，bytheviolenceofthestormoutatsea。Thethoughtofmybein\'upsetandfallin\'inamongthosemonstersmademyverybloodruncold，andinvoluntary-likeIbegantoturnthehandleoftherudder，andinamomentIshotintoawallofragin\'sea-waterthatwastowerin\'
aroundme。ForasecondIwasfairlyblindedandstunned，butI
hadthecorkoutofthatoil-caninnotime，andverysoon——you\'dscarcelybelieveitifItoldyouhowsoon——Ihadanotherplacidmill-pondsurroundin\'ofme。Isattherea-pantin\'andfannin\'
withmystrawhat，foryou\'dbetterbelieveIwasflustered，andthenIbegantothinkhowlongitwouldtakemetomakealineofmill-pondscleanacrosstheheadofthebay，andhowmuchoilitwouldneed，andwhetherIhadenough。SoIsatandcalculatedthatifatumblerfulofoilwouldmakeasmoothplaceaboutsevenyardsacross，whichIshouldsaywasthewidthoftheoneIwasin，——whichIcalculatedbyameasureofmyeyeastohowmanybreadthsofcarpetitwouldtaketocoverit，——andifthebaywastwomilesacrossbetwixtourhouseandmysister-in-law\'s，and，althoughIcouldn\'tgetthethingdowntoexactfigures，IsawprettysoonthatIwouldn\'thaveoilenoughtomakealevelcuttin\'throughallthosemountainousbillows，andbesides，evenifIhadenoughtotakemeacross，whatwouldbethegoodofgoin\'iftherewasn\'tanyoillefttofillmysister-in-law\'slamp？
"WhileIwasthinkin\'andcalculatin\'aperfectlydreadfulthinghappened，whichmademethinkifIdidn\'tgetoutofthisprettysoonI\'dfindmyselfinamightyriskypredicament。Theoil-can，whichIhadforgottentoputthecorkin，toppledover，andbeforeIcouldgrabiteverydropoftheoilranintothehindpartoftheboat，whereitwassoakedupbyalotofdrydustthatwasthere。NowondermyheartsankwhenIsawthis。
Glancin\'wildlyaroundme，aspeoplewilldowhentheyarescared，IsawthesmoothplaceIwasingettin\'smallerandsmaller，forthekerosenewasevaporatin\'，asitwilldoevenoffwoollenclothesifyougiveittimeenough。ThefirstpondIhadcomeoutofseemedtobecoveredup，andthegreat，towerin\'，throbbin\'precipiceofsea-waterwasa-closin\'aroundme。
"Castin\'downmyeyesindespair，Ihappenedtolookthroughthecrackinthebottomoftheboat，andoh，whatablessedreliefitwas！fordownthereeverythingwassmoothandstill，andIcouldseethesandonthebottom，aslevelandhard，nodoubt，asitwasonthebeach。SuddenlythethoughtstruckmethatthatbottomwouldgivemetheonlychanceIhadofgettin\'
outofthefrightfulfixIwasin。IfIcouldfillthatoil-canwithair，andthenputtin\'itundermyarmandtakin\'alongbreathifIcoulddropdownonthatsmoothbottom，Imightrunalongtowardshore，asfarasIcould，andthen，whenIfeltmybreathwasgivin\'out，Icouldtakeapullattheoil-canandtakeanotherrun，andthentakeanotherpullandanotherrun，andperhapsthecanwouldholdairenoughformeuntilIgotnearenoughtoshoretowadetodryland。Tobesure，thesharksandothermonstersweredownthere，butthentheymusthavebeenawfullyfrightened，andperhapstheymightnotrememberthatmanwastheirnat\'ralenemy。Anyway，Ithoughtitwouldbebettertotrythesmoothwaterpassagedowntherethanstayandbeswallowedupbytheragin\'wavesontop。
"SoIblewthecanfullofairandcorkedit，andthenItoreupsomeoftheboardsfromthebottomoftheboatsoastomakeaholebigenoughformetogetthrough，——andyousailormenneedn\'twrigglesowhenIsaythat，foryouallknowadivin\'-bellhasn\'tanybottomatallandthewaternevercomesin，——andsowhenI
gottheholebigenoughItooktheoil-canundermyarm，andwasjustabouttoslipdownthroughitwhenIsawanawfulturtlea-walkin\'throughthesandatthebottom。Now，Imighttrustsharksandswordfishesandsea-serpentstobefrightenedandforgetabouttheirnat\'ralenemies，butInevercouldtrustagrayturtleasbigasacart，withablackneckayardlong，withyellowbagstoitsjaws，toforgetanythingortorememberanything。I\'daslievegetintoabath-tubwithalivecrabastogodownthere。Itwasn\'tofnouseevensomuchasthinkin\'
ofit，soIgaveupthatplananddidn\'toncelookthroughthatholeagain。"
"Andwhatdidyoudo，madam？"askedCaptainBird，whowasregardingherwithafaceofstone。
"Iusedelectricity，"shesaid。"Nowdon\'tstartasifyouhadashockofit。That\'swhatIused。WhenIwasyoungerthanIwasthen，andsometimesvisitedfriendsinthecity，weoftenamusedourselvesbyrubbingourfeetonthecarpetuntilwegotourselvessofullofelectricitythatwecouldputupourfingersandlightthegas。SoIsaidtomyselfthatifIcouldgetfullofelectricityforthepurposeoflightin\'thegasIcouldgetfullofitforotherpurposes，andso，withoutlosin\'amoment，I
settowork。Istoodupononeoftheseats，whichwasdry，andIrubbedthebottomsofmyshoesbackwardandforwardonitwithsuchviolenceandswiftnessthattheyprettysoongotwarmandI
beganfillin\'withelectricity，andwhenIwasfullychargedwithitfrommytoestothetopofmyhead，Ijustsprangintothewaterandswamashore。OfcourseIcouldn\'tsink，bein\'fullofelectricity。"
CaptainBirdheavedalongsighandrosetohisfeet，whereupontheothermarinersrosetotheirfeet"Madam，"saidCaptainBird，"what\'stopayforthesupperand——therestoftheentertainment？"
"Thesupperistwenty-fivecentsapiece，"saidtheWidowDucket，"andeverythingelseisfree，gratis。"
Whereuponeachmarinerputhishandintohistrouserspocket，pulledoutasilverquarter，andhandedittothewidow。Then，withfoursolemn"Goodevenin\'s，"theywentouttothefrontgate。
"Castoff，CaptainJenkinson，"saidCaptainBird，"andyou，CaptainBurress，clewhimupfor\'ard。Youcanstayinthebow，CaptainSanderson，andtakethesheet-lines。I\'llgoaft。"
Allbeingready，eachoftheelderlymarinersclamberedoverawheel，andhavingseatedthemselves，theypreparedtolaytheircourseforCuppertown。
Butjustastheywereabouttostart，CaptainJenkinsonaskedthattheylaytoabit，andclamberingdownoverhiswheel，hereenteredthefrontgateandwentuptothedoorofthehouse，wherethewidowandDorcaswerestillstanding。
"Madam，"saidhe，"Ijustcamebacktoaskwhatbecameofyourbrother-in-lawthroughhiswife\'snotbein\'abletoputnolightinthewindow？"
"Thestormdrovehimashoreonoursideofthebay，"saidshe，"andthenextmornin\'hecameuptoourhouse，andItoldhimallthathadhappenedtome。Andwhenhetookourboatandwenthomeandtoldthatstorytohiswife，shejustpackedupandwentoutWest，andgotdivorcedfromhim。Anditservedhimright，too。"
"Thankyou，ma\'am，"saidCaptainJenkinson，andgoingoutofthegate，heclamberedupoverthewheel，andthewagonclearedforCuppertown。
Whentheelderlymarinersweregone，theWidowDucket，stillstandinginthedoor，turnedtoDorcas。
"Thinkofit！"shesaid。"Totellallthattome，inmyownhouse！AndafterIhadopenedmyonejarofbrandiedpeaches，thatI\'dbeenkeepin\'forspecialcompany！"
"Inyourownhouse！"ejaculatedDorcas。"Andnotoneofthembrandiedpeachesleft！"
Thewidowjingledthefourquartersinherhandbeforesheslippedthemintoherpocket。
"Anyway，Dorcas，"sheremarked，"Ithinkwecannowsaywearesquarewithalltheworld，andsolet\'sgoinandwashthedishes。"
"Yes，"saidDorcas，"we\'resquare。"
CAPTAINELI\'SBESTEAR
ThelittleseasidevillageofSponkannisliessoquietlyuponaprotectedspotonourAtlanticcoastthatitmakesnomorestirintheworldthanwouldapebblewhich，heldbetweenone\'sfingerandthumb，shouldbedippedbelowthesurfaceofamillpondandthendropped。Aboutthepost-officeandthestore——bothunderthesameroof——thegreaternumberofthehousescluster，asiftheyhadcomefortheirweek\'sgroceries，orwerewaitingforthemail，whiletowardthewestthedwellingsbecomefewerandfewer，untilatlastthevillageblendsintoalongstretchofsandycoastandscrubbypine-woods。Eastwardthevillageendsabruptlyatthefootofawindsweptbluff，onwhichnoonecarestobuild。
Amongthelasthousesinthewesternendofthevillagestoodtwoneat，substantialdwellings，onebelongingtoCaptainEliBunker，andtheothertoCaptainCephasDyer。Thesehouseholdersweretwoveryrespectableretiredmariners，thefirstawidoweraboutfifty，andtheotherabachelorofperhapsthesameage，afewyearsmoreorlessmakingbutlittledifferenceinthisregionofweather-beatenyouthandseasonedage。
Eachofthesegoodcaptainslivedalone，andeachtookentirechargeofhisowndomesticaffairs，notbecausehewaspoor，butbecauseitpleasedhimtodoso。WhenCaptainEliretiredfromtheseahewastheownerofagoodvessel，whichhesoldatafairprofit；andCaptainCephashadmademoneyinmanyavoyagebeforehebuilthishouseinSponkannisandsettledthere。
WhenCaptainEli\'swifewaslivingshewashishouseholdmanager。ButCaptainCephashadneverhadawomaninhishouse，exceptduringthefirstfewmonthsofhisoccupancy，whencertainfemaleneighborscameinoccasionallytoattendtolittlemattersofcleaningwhich，accordingtopopularnotions，properlybelongtothesphereofwoman。
ButCaptainCephassoonputanendtothissortofthing。Hedidnotlikeawoman\'sways，especiallyherwaysofattendingtodomesticaffairs。Helikedtoliveinsailorfashion，andtokeephouseinsailorfashion。Inhisestablishmenteverythingwasshipshape，andeverythingwhichcouldbestowedawaywasstowedaway，and，ifpossible，inabunker。Thefloorswereholystonednearlyeveryday，andthewholehousewasrepaintedabouttwiceayear，alittleatatime，whentheweatherwassuitableforthismarinerecreation。Thingsnotinfrequentusewerelashedsecurelytothewalls，orperhapsputoutofthewaybybeinghauleduptotheceilingbymeansofblocksandtackle。
Hiscookingwasdonesailorfashion，likeeverythingelse，andheneverfailedtohaveplum-duffonSunday。Hiswellwasnearhishouse，andeverymorninghedroppedintoitaleadandline，andnoteddownthedepthofwater。Threetimesadayheenteredinalittlenote-bookthestateoftheweather，theheightofthemercuryinbarometerandthermometer，thedirectionofthewind，andspecialweatherpointswhennecessary。
CaptainElimanagedhisdomesticaffairsinanentirelydifferentway。Hekepthousewomanfashion——not，however，inthemannerofanordinarywoman，butafterthemannerofhislatewife，MirandaBunker，nowdeadsomesevenyears。Likehisfriend，CaptainCephas，hehadhadtheassistanceofhisfemaleneighborsduringtheearlierdaysofhiswidowerhood。ButhesoonfoundthatthesewomendidnotdothingsasMirandausedtodothem，and，althoughhefrequentlysuggestedthattheyshouldendeavortoimitatethemethodsofhislateconsort，theydidnoteventrytodothingsassheusedtodothem，preferringtheirownways。ThereforeitwasthatCaptainElideterminedtokeephousebyhimself，andtodoit，asnearlyashisnaturewouldallow，asMirandausedtodoit。Heswepthisdoorsandheshookhisdoor-mats；hewashedhispaintwithsoapandhotwater；hedustedhisfurniturewithasoftcloth，whichheafterwardsstuckbehindachestofdrawers。Hemadehisbedveryneatly，turningdownthesheetatthetop，andsettingthepillowuponedge，smoothingitcarefullyafterhehaddoneso。HiscookingwasbasedonthemethodsofthelateMiranda。Hehadneverbeenabletomakebreadriseproperly，buthehadalwayslikedship-
biscuit，andhenowgreatlypreferredthemtotherisenbreadmadebyhisneighbors。Andastocoffeeandtheplainerarticlesoffoodwithwhichhefurnishedhistable，evenMirandaherselfwouldnothaveobjectedtothemhadshebeenaliveandveryhungry。
Thehousesofthetwocaptainswerenotveryfarapart，andtheyweregoodneighbors，oftensmokingtheirpipestogetherandtalkingofthesea。ButthiswasalwaysonthelittleporchinfrontofCaptainCephas\'shouse，orbyhiskitchenfireinthewinter。CaptainElididnotlikethesmelloftobaccosmokeinhishouse，oreveninfrontofitinsummer-time，whenthedoorswereopen。Hehadnoobjectionhimselftotheodoroftobacco，butitwascontrarytotheprinciplesofwomanhousekeepingthatroomsshouldsmellofit，andhewasalwaystruetothoseprinciples。
ItwaslateinacertainDecember，andthroughthevillagetherewasapleasantlittleflutterofChristmaspreparations。
CaptainElihadbeenuptothestore，andhehadstayedthereagoodwhile，warminghimselfbythestove，andwatchingthewomencomingintobuythingsforChristmas。Itwasstrangehowmanythingstheyboughtforpresentsorforholidayuse——fancysoapandcandy，handkerchiefsandlittlewoollenshawlsforoldpeople，andalotofprettylittlethingswhichheknewtheuseof，butwhichCaptainCephaswouldneverhaveunderstoodatallhadhebeenthere。
AsCaptainElicameoutofthestorehesawacartinwhichweretwogood-sizedChristmastrees，whichhadbeencutinthewoods，andweregoing，onetoCaptainHolmes\'shouse，andtheothertoMotherNelson\'s。CaptainHolmeshadgrandchildren，andMotherNelson，withneverachildofherown，goodoldsoul，hadthreelittleorphannieceswhoneverwantedforanythingneedfulatChristmas-timeoranyothertime。
CaptainEliwalkedhomeveryslowly，takingobservationsinhismind。ItwasmorethansevenyearssincehehadhadanythingtodowithChristmas，exceptthatonthatdayhehadalwaysmadehimselfamince-pie，theconstructionandtheconsumptionofwhichwereequallydifficult。Itistruethatneighborshadinvitedhim，andtheyhadinvitedCaptainCephas，totheirChristmasdinners，butneitheroftheseworthyseamenhadeveracceptedanyoftheseinvitations。Evenholidayfood，whennotcookedinsailorfashion，didnotagreewithCaptainCephas，anditwouldhavepainedthegoodheartofCaptainEliifhehadbeenforcedtomakebelievetoenjoyaChristmasdinnersoveryinferiortothosewhichMirandausedtosetbeforehim。
ButnowtheheartofCaptainEliwasgentlymovedbyaChristmasflutter。Ithadbeenfoolish，perhaps，forhimtogouptothestoreatsuchatimeasthis，butthemischiefhadbeendone。Oldfeelingshadcomebacktohim，andhewouldbegladtocelebrateChristmasthisyearifhecouldthinkofanygoodwaytodoit。AndtheresultofhismentalobservationswasthathewentovertoCaptainCephas\'shousetotalktohimaboutit。
CaptainCephaswasinhiskitchen，smokinghisthirdmorningpipe。CaptainElifilledhispipe，lightedit，andsatdownbythefire。
"Cap\'n，"saidhe，"whatdoyousaytoourkeepinChristmasthisyear？AChristmasdinnerisnogoodifit\'sgottobeeatalone，andyouandmemighteatourntogether。Itmightbeinmyhouse，oritmightbeinyourhouse——itwon\'tmakenogreatdifferencetomewhich。Ofcourse，Ilikewomanhousekeepin\'，asislaiddownintherulesofservicefermyhouse。ButnextbesttothatIlikesailorhousekeepin\'，soIdon\'tmindwhichhousethedinnerisin，Cap\'nCephas，soitsuitsyou。"
CaptainCephastookhispipefromhismouth。"You\'reprettylatethinkin\'aboutit，"saidhe，"ferdayafterto-morrow\'sChristmas。"
"Thatdon\'tmakenodifference，"saidCaptainEli。"Whatthingswewantthatarenotinmyhouseoryourhousewecaneasilygeteitherupatthestoreorelseinthewoods。"
"Inthewoods！"exclaimedCaptainCephas。"WhatinthenameofthunderdoyouexpecttogetinthewoodsforChristmas？"
"AChristmastree，"saidCaptainEli。"IthoughtitmightbeanicethingtohaveaChristmastreeferChristmas。Cap\'nHolmeshasgotone，andMotherNelson\'sgotanother。Iguessnearlyeverybody\'sgotone。Itwon\'tcostanything——Icangoandcutit。"
CaptainCephasgrinnedagrin，asifagreatleakhadbeensprunginthesideofavessel，stretchingnearlyfromstemtostern。
"AChristmastree！"heexclaimed。"Well，Iamblessed！Butlookhere，Cap\'nEli。Youdon\'tknowwhataChristmastree\'sfer。It\'sferchildren，andnotfergrown-ups。NobodyeverdoeshaveaChristmastreeinanyhousewherethereain\'tnochildren。"
CaptainEliroseandstoodwithhisbacktothefire。"I
didn\'tthinkofthat，"hesaid，"butIguessit\'sso。AndwhenI
cometothinkofit，aChristmasisn\'tmuchofaChristmas，anyway，withoutchildren。"
"Youneverhadnone，"saidCaptainCephas，"andyou\'vekeptChristmas。"
"Yes，"repliedCaptainEli，reflectively，"wediddoit，buttherewasalwaysalackment——Mirandahassaidso，andIhavesaidso。"
"Youdidn\'thavenoChristmastree，"saidCaptainCephas。
"No，wedidn\'t。ButIdon\'tthinkthatfolkswasasmuchsetonChristmastreesthenasthey\'peartobenow。Iwonder，"hecontinued，thoughtfullygazingattheceiling，"ifwewastofixupaChristmastree——andyouandme\'sgotalotofprettythingsthatwe\'vepickedupallovertheworld，thatwouldgomilesaheadofanythingthatcouldbeboughtatthestoreferChristmastrees——ifwewastofixupatreerealnice，ifwecouldn\'tgetsomechildorotherthatwasn\'tlikelytohaveatreetocomeinandlookatit，andstayawhile，andmakeChristmasmorelikeChristmas。Andthen，whenitwentaway，itcouldtakealongthethingsthatwashangin\'onthetree，andkeep\'emferitsown。"
"Thatwouldn\'twork，"saidCaptainCephas。"Ifyougetachildintothisbusiness，youmustletithangupitsstockin\'
beforeitgoestobed，andfinditfullinthemornin\'，andthentellitanall-firedlieaboutSantaClausifitasksanyquestions。Mostchildrenthinkmoreofstockin\'sthantheydooftrees——soI\'veheard，atleast。"
"I\'vegotnoobjectionstostockin\'s，"saidCaptainEli。"Ifitwantedtohangoneup，itcouldhangoneupeitherhereorinmyhouse，whereverwekeptChristmas。"
"Youcouldn\'tkeepachildallnight，"sardonicallyremarkedCaptainCephas，"andnomorecouldI。Ferifitwastogetupacroupinthenight，itwouldbeasifwewasonaleeshorewithanchorsdraggin\'andagalea-blowin\'。"
"That\'sso，"saidCaptainEli。"You\'veputitfair。I
supposeifwedidkeepachildallnight，we\'dhavetohavesomesortofawomanwithinhailincaseofasuddenblow。"
CaptainCephassniffed。"What\'sthegoodoftalkin\'？"saidhe。"Thereain\'tnochild，andthereain\'tnowomanthatyoucouldhiretositallnightonmyfrontsteporonyourfrontstep，a-waitin\'tobepipedondeckincaseofcroup。"
"No，"saidCaptainEli。"Idon\'tsupposethere\'sanychildinthisvillagethatain\'tgoin\'tobeprovidedwithaChristmastreeoraChristmasstockin\'，orperhapsboth——except，nowIcometothinkofit，thatlittlegalthatwasbroughtdownherewithhermotherlastsummer，andhasbeenkeptbyMrs。Crumleysencehermotherdied。"
"Andwon\'tbekeptmuchlonger，"saidCaptainCephas，"ferI\'vehearnMrs。Crumleysayshecouldn\'taffordit。"
"That\'sso，"saidCaptainEli。"Ifshecan\'taffordtokeepthelittlegal，shecan\'taffordtogivenoChristmastreesnorstockin\'s，andsoitseemstome，cap\'n，thatthatlittlegalwouldbeaprettygoodchildtohelpuskeepChristmas。"
"You\'reallthetimeforgettin\'，"saidtheother，"thatnutherofuscankeepachildallnight。"
CaptainEliseatedhimself，andlookedponderinglyintothefire。"You\'reright，cap\'n，"saidhe。"We\'dhavetoshipsomewomantotakecareofher。Ofcourse，itwouldn\'tbenousetoaskMrs。Crumley？"
CaptainCephaslaughed。"Ishouldsaynot。"
"Andtheredoesn\'tseemtobeanybodyelse，"saidhiscompanion。"Canyouthinkofanybody，cap\'n？"
"Thereain\'tanybodytothinkof，"repliedCaptainCephas，"unlessitmightbeElizaTrimmer。She\'sgenerallyreadyenoughtodoanythingthatturnsup。Butshewouldn\'tbenogood——herhouseistoofarawayforeitheryouormetohailherincaseacroupcameupsuddint。"
"That\'sso，"saidCaptainEli。"Shedoeslivealongwayoff。"
"Sothatsettlesthewholebusiness，"saidCaptainCephas。
"She\'stoofarawaytocomeifwanted，andnutherofuscouldn\'tkeepnochildwithoutsomebodytocomeiftheywaswanted，andit\'snousetohaveaChristmastreewithoutachild。A
ChristmaswithoutaChristmastreedon\'tseemagreeabletoyou，cap\'n，soIguesswe\'dbettergetalongjustthesameaswe\'vebeeninthehabitofdoin\'，andeatourChristmasdinner，aswedoourothermealsinourownhouses。"
CaptainElilookedintothefire。"Idon\'tliketogiveupthingsifIcanhelpit。Thatwasalwaysmyway。Ifwindandtide\'sag\'in\'me，Icanwaittilloneortheother，orbothofthem，serve。"
"Yes，"saidCaptainCephas，"youwasalwaysthatkindofaman。"
"That\'sso。Butitdoes\'peartomeasifI\'dhavetogiveupthistime，thoughit\'sapitytodoit，onaccountofthelittlegal，fersheain\'tlikelytohaveanyChristmasthisyear。
She\'sanicelittlegal，andtakesasnaturaltonavigationasifshe\'dbeenbornatsea。I\'vegivenhertwoorthreethingsbecauseshe\'ssopretty，butthere\'snothingshelikessomuchasalittleshipIgaveher。"
"Perhapsshewasbornatsea，"remarkedCaptainCephas。
"Perhapsshewas，"saidtheother；"andthatmakesitthebiggerpity。"
Forafewmomentsnothingwassaid。ThenCaptainElisuddenlyexclaimed，"I\'lltellyouwhatwemightdo，cap\'n！WemightaskMrs。Trimmertolendahandingivin\'thelittlegalaChristmas。Sheain\'tgotnobodyinherhousebutherself，andI
guessshe\'dbegladenoughtohelpgivethatlittlegalaregularChristmas。Shecouldgoandgetthechild，andbringhertoyourhouseortomyhouse，orwhereverwe\'regoin\'tokeepChristmas，and——"
"Well，"saidCaptainCephas，withanairofscrutinizinginquiry，"what？"
"Well，"repliedtheother，alittlehesitatingly，"sofarasI\'mconcerned，——thatis，Idon\'tmindonewayortheother，——shemighttakeherChristmasdinneralongwithusandthelittlegal，andthenshecouldfixherstockin\'tobehungup，andhelpwiththeChristmastree，and——"
"Well，"demandedCaptainCephas，"what？"
"Well，"saidCaptainEli，"shecould——thatis，itdoesn\'tmakeanydifferencetomeonewayortheother——shemightstayallnightatwhateverhousewekeptChristmasin，andthenyouandmemightspendthenightintheotherhouse，andthenshecouldbereadytheretohelpthechildinthemornin\'，whenshecametolookatherstockin\'。"
CaptainCephasfixeduponhisfriendanearnestglare。
"That\'sprettyconsiderableofanideatocomeuponyousosuddint，"saidhe。"ButIcantellyouonething：thereain\'ta-
goin\'tobeanysuchdoin\'sinmyhouse。Ifyouchoosetocomeoverheretosleep，andgiveupyourhousetoanywomanyoucanfindtotakecareofthelittlegal，allright。Butthethingcan\'tbedonehere。"
Therewasacertainseverityintheseremarks，buttheyappearedtoaffectCaptainEliverypleasantly。
"Well，"saidhe，"ifyou\'resatisfied，Iam。I\'llagreetoanyplanyouchoosetomake。Itdoesn\'tmattertomewhichhouseit\'sin，andifyousaymyhouse，Isaymyhouse。AllIwantistomakethebusinessagreeabletoallconcerned。Nowit\'stimefermetogotomydinner，andthisafternoonwe\'dbettergoandtrytogetthingsstraightenedout，becausethelittlegal，andwhateverwomancomeswithher，oughttobeatmyhouseto-morrowbeforedark。S\'posin\'wedivideupthisbusiness：I\'llgoandseeMrs。Crumleyaboutthelittlegal，andyoucangoandseeMrs。Trimmer。"
"No，sir，"promptlyrepliedCaptainCephas，"Idon\'tgotoseenoMrs。Trimmer。Youcanseebothofthemjustthesameasyoucanseeone——they\'reallalongthesameway。I\'llgocuttheChristmastree。"
"Allright，"saidCaptainEli。"Itdon\'tmakenodifferencetomewhichdoeswhich。ButifIwasyou，cap\'n，I\'dcutagoodbigtree，becausewemightaswellhaveagoodonewhilewe\'reaboutit。"
Whenhehadeatenhisdinner，andwasheduphisdishes，andhadputeverythingawayinneat，housewifelyorder，CaptainEliwenttoMrs。Crumley\'shouse，andverysoonfinishedhisbusinessthere。Mrs。Crumleykepttheonlyhousewhichmightbeconsideredaboarding-houseinthevillageofSponkannis；andwhenshehadconsentedtotakechargeofthelittlegirlwhohadbeenleftonherhandsshehadhopeditwouldnotbeverylongbeforeshewouldhearfromsomeofherrelativesinregardtohermaintenance。Butshehadheardnothing，andhadnowceasedtoexpecttohearanything，andinconsequencehadfrequentlyremarkedthatshemustdisposeofthechildsomewayorother，forshecouldn\'taffordtokeepheranylonger。Evenanabsenceofadayortwoatthehouseofthegoodcaptainwouldbesomerelief，andMrs。CrumleyreadilyconsentedtotheChristmasscheme。Astothelittlegirl，shewasdelighted。ShealreadylookeduponCaptainEliasherbestfriendintheworld。
ItwasnotsoeasytogotoMrs。Trimmer\'shouseandputthebusinessbeforeher。"Itoughttobeplainsailin\'enough，"
CaptainElisaidtohimself，overandoveragain，"but，ferallthat，itdon\'tseemtobeplainsailin\'。"
Buthewasnotamantobedeterredbydifficultnavigation，andhewalkedstraighttoElizaTrimmer\'shouse。
Mrs。Trimmerwasacomelywomanaboutthirty-five，whohadcometothevillageayearbefore，andhadmaintainedherself，oratleasthadtriedto，bydressmakingandplainsewing。ShehadlivedatStetford，aseaportabouttwentymilesaway，andfromthere，threeyearsbefore，herhusband，CaptainTrimmer，hadsailedawayinagood-sizedschooner，andhadneverreturned。
ShehadcometoSponkannisbecauseshethoughtthatthereshecouldlivecheaperandgetmoreworkthaninherformerhome。
Shehadfoundthefirstquitepossible，buthersuccessinregardtotheworkhadnotbeenverygreat。
WhenCaptainElienteredMrs。Trimmer\'slittleroom，hefoundherbusymendingasail。Herefortunefavoredhim。"Youturnyourhandto\'mostanything，Mrs。Trimmer，"saidhe，afterhehadgreetedher。
"Oh，yes，"sheanswered，withasmile，"Iamobligedtodothat。Mendingsailsisprettyheavywork，butit\'sbetterthannothing。"
"Ihadanotion，"saidhe，"thatyouwasreadytoturnyourhandtoanygoodkindofbusiness，soIthoughtIwouldstepinandaskyouifyou\'dturnyourhandtoalittlebitofbusinessI\'vegotonthestocks。"
Shestoppedsewingonthesail，andlistenedwhileCaptainElilaidhisplanbeforeher。"It\'sverykindinyouandCaptainCephastothinkofallthat，"saidshe。"Ihaveoftennoticedthatpoorlittlegirl，andpitiedher。CertainlyI\'llcome，andyouneedn\'tsayanythingaboutpayingmeforit。Iwouldn\'tthinkofaskingtobepaidfordoingathinglikethat。Andbesides，"——shesmiledagainasshespoke，——"ifyouaregoingtogivemeaChristmasdinner，asyousay，thatwillmakethingsmorethansquare。"
CaptainElididnotexactlyagreewithher，buthewasinverygoodhumor，andshewasingoodhumor，andthematterwassoonsettled，andMrs。Trimmerpromisedtocometothecaptain\'shouseinthemorningandhelpabouttheChristmastree，andintheafternoontogotogetthelittlegirlfromMrs。Crumley\'sandbringhertothehouse。
CaptainEliwasdelightedwiththearrangements。"Thingsnowseemtobegoin\'alongbeforeaspankin\'breeze，"saidhe。"ButI
don\'tknowaboutthedinner。Iguessyouwillhavetoleavethattome。Idon\'tbelieveCaptainCephascouldeatawoman-
cookeddinner。He\'saccustomedtolivinsailorfashion，youknow，andhehasdeclaredoverandoveragaintomethatwoman-
cookin\'doesn\'tagreewithhim。"
"ButIcancooksailorfashion，"saidMrs。Trimmer，——"justasmuchsailorfashionasyouorCaptainCephas，andifhedon\'tbelieveit，I\'llproveittohim；soyouneedn\'tworryaboutthat。"
Whenthecaptainhadgone，Mrs。Trimmergaylyputawaythesail。Therewasnoneedtofinishitinahurry，andnoknowingwhenshewouldgethermoneyforitwhenitwasdone。NoonehadaskedhertoaChristmasdinnerthatyear，andshehadexpectedtohavealonelytimeofit。ButitwouldbeverypleasanttospendChristmaswiththelittlegirlandthetwogoodcaptains。
Insteadofsewinganymoreonthesail，shegotoutsomeofherownclothestoseeiftheyneededanythingdonetothem。
ThenextmorningMrs。TrimmerwenttoCaptainEli\'shouse，andfindingCaptainCephasthere，theyallsettoworkattheChristmastree，whichwasaveryfineone，andhadbeenplantedinabox。CaptainCephashadbroughtoverabundleofthingsfromhishouse，andCaptainElikeptrunninghereandthere，bringing，eachtimethathereturned，somenewobject，wonderfulorpretty，whichhehadbroughtfromChinaorJapanorCorea，orsomespicyislandoftheEasternseas；andnearlyeverytimehecamewiththesetreasuresMrs。TrimmerdeclaredthatsuchthingsweretoogoodtoputuponaChristmastree，evenforsuchanicelittlegirlastheoneforwhichthattreewasintended。ThepresentswhichCaptainCephasbroughtweremuchmoresuitableforthepurpose；theywereoddandfunny，andsomeofthempretty，butnotexpensive，aswerethefansandbitsofshellworkandcarvedivorieswhichCaptainEliwishedtotieuponthetwigsofthetree。
Therewasagooddealoftalkaboutallthis，butCaptainElihadhisownway。
"Idon\'tsuppose，afterall，"saidhe，"thatthelittlegaloughttohaveallthethings。Thisissuchabigtreethatit\'smorelikeafamilytree。Cap\'nCephascantakesomeofmythings，andIcantakesomeofhisthings，and，Mrs。Trimmer，ifthere\'sanythingyoulike，youcancallityourpresentandtakeitforyourown，sothatwillbefairandcomfortableallround。
WhatIwantistomakeeverybodysatisfied。"
"I\'msureIthinktheyoughttobe，"saidMrs。Trimmer，lookingverykindlyatCaptainEli。
Mrs。Trimmerwenthometoherownhousetodinner，andintheafternoonshebroughtthelittlegirl。Shehadsaidthereoughttobeanearlysupper，sothatthechildwouldhavetimetoenjoytheChristmastreebeforeshebecamesleepy。
ThismealwaspreparedentirelybyCaptainEli，andinsailorfashion，notwomanfashion，sothatCaptainCephascouldmakenoexcuseforeatinghissupperathome。OfcoursetheyalloughttobetogetherthewholeofthatChristmaseve。Asforthebigdinneronthemorrow，thatwasanotheraffair，forMrs。TrimmerundertooktomakeCaptainCephasunderstandthatshehadalwayscookedforCaptainTrimmerinsailorfashion，andifheobjectedtoherplum-duff，orifanybodyelseobjectedtohermince-pie，shewasgoingtobeverymuchsurprised。
CaptainCephasatehissupperwithagoodrelish，andwasstilleatingwhentheresthadfinished。AstotheChristmastree，itwasthemostvaluable，ifnotthemostbeautiful，thathadeverbeensetupinthatregion。Ithadnocandlesuponit，butwaslightedbythreelampsandaship\'slanternplacedinthefourcornersoftheroom，andthelittlegirlwasashappyasifthetreeweredecoratedwithlittledollsandglassballs。Mrs。
Trimmerwasintenselypleasedandinterestedtoseethechildsohappy，andCaptainEliwasmuchpleasedandinterestedtoseethechildandMrs。Trimmersohappy，andCaptainCephaswasinterested，andperhapsalittleamusedinasuperiorfashion，toseeCaptainEliandMrs。Trimmerandthelittlechildsohappy。
Thenthedistributionofthepresentsbegan。CaptainEliaskedCaptainCephasifhemighthavethewoodenpipethatthelatterhadbroughtforhispresent。CaptainCephassaidhemighttakeit，forallhecared，andbewelcometoit。ThenCaptainEligaveCaptainCephasaredbandannahandkerchiefofaverycuriouspattern，andCaptainCephasthankedhimkindly。AfterwhichCaptainElibestoweduponMrs。Trimmeramostbeautifultortoise-shellcomb，carvedandcutandpolishedinawonderfulway，andwithithegaveatortoise-shellfan，carvedinthesamefashion，becausehesaidthetwothingsseemedtobelongtoeachotherandoughttogotogether；andhewouldnotlistentoonewordofwhatMrs。Trimmersaidaboutthegiftsbeingtoogoodforher，andthatshewasnotlikelyevertousethem。
"Itseemstome，"saidCaptainCephas，"thatyoumightbegivingsomethingtothelittlegal。"
ThenCaptainElirememberedthatthechildoughtnottobeforgotten，andhersoulwasliftedintoecstasybymanygifts，someofwhichMrs。Trimmerdeclaredweretoogoodforanychildinthiswide，wideworld。ButCaptainEliansweredthattheycouldbetakencareofbysomebodyuntilthelittlegirlwasoldenoughtoknowtheirvalue。
Thenitwasdiscoveredthat，unbeknowntoanybodyelse，Mrs。
Trimmerhadputsomepresentsonthetree，whichwerethingswhichhadbeenbroughtbyCaptainTrimmerfromsomewhereinthefarEastorthedistantWest。TheseshebestoweduponCaptainCephasandCaptainEli。AndtheendofallthiswasthatinthewholeofSponkannis，fromthefootoftheblufftotheeast，totheverylasthouseontheshoretothewest，therewasnotoneChristmasevepartysohappyasthisone。
CaptainCephaswasnotquitesohappyasthethreeotherswere，buthewasverymuchinterested。Aboutnineo\'clockthepartybrokeup，andthetwocaptainsputontheircapsandbuttoneduptheirpea-jackets，andstartedforCaptainCephas\'shouse，butnotbeforeCaptainElihadcarefullyfastenedeverywindowandeverydoorexceptthefrontdoor，andhadtoldMrs。
Trimmerhowtofastenthatwhentheyhadgone，andhadgivenheraboatswain\'swhistle，whichshemightblowoutofthewindowifthereshouldbeasuddencroupanditshouldbenecessaryforanyonetogoanywhere。Hewassurehecouldhearit，forthewindwasexactlyrightforhimtohearawhistlefromhishouse。WhentheyhadgoneMrs。Trimmerputthelittlegirltobed，andwasdelightedtofindinwhatawonderfullyneatandwomanlikefashionthathousewaskept。
Itwasnearlytwelveo\'clockthatnightwhenCaptainEli，sleepinginhisbunkoppositethatofCaptainCephas，wasarousedbyhearingasound。Hehadbeenlyingwithhisbestearuppermost，sothatheshouldhearanythingiftherehappenedtobeanythingtohear。Hedidhearsomething，butitwasnotaboatswain\'swhistle；itwasaprolongedcry，anditseemedtocomefromthesea。
InamomentCaptainEliwassittingonthesideofhisbunk，listeningintently。Againcamethecry。Thewindowtowardtheseawasslightlyopen，andhehearditplainly。
"Cap\'n！"saidhe，andatthewordCaptainCephaswassittingonthesideofhisbunk，listening。Heknewfromhiscompanion\'sattitude，plainlyvisibleinthelightofalanternwhichhungonahookattheotherendoftheroom，thathehadbeenawakenedtolisten。Againcamethecry。
"That\'sdistressatsea，"saidCaptainCephas。"Harken！"
Theylistenedagainfornearlyaminute，whenthecrywasrepeated。
"Bounceondeck，boys！"saidCaptainCephas，gettingoutonthefloor。"There\'ssomeoneindistressoffshore。"
CaptainElijumpedtothefloor，andbegantodressquickly。
"Itcouldn\'tbeacallfromland？"heaskedhurriedly。"Itdon\'tsoundabittoyoulikeaboatswain\'swhistle，doesit？"
"No，"saidCaptainCephas，disdainfully。"It\'sacallfromsea。"Then，seizingalantern，herusheddownthecompanionway。
Assoonashewasconvincedthatitwasacallfromsea，CaptainEliwasoneinfeelingandactionwithCaptainCephas。
Thelatterhastilyopenedthedraughtsofthekitchenstove，andputonsomewood，andbythetimethiswasdoneCaptainElihadthekettlefilledandonthestove。Thentheyclappedontheircapsandtheirpea-jackets，eachtookanoarfromacornerinthebackhall，andtogethertheyrandowntothebeach。
Thenightwasdark，butnotverycold，andCaptainCephashadbeentothestorethatmorninginhisboat。
Wheneverhewenttothestore，andtheweatherpermitted，herowedthereinhisboatratherthanwalk。Atthebowoftheboat，whichwasnowdrawnuponthesand，thetwomenstoodandlistened。Againcamethecryfromthesea。
"It\'ssomethingashoreontheTurtle-backShoal，"saidCaptainCephas。
"Yes，"saidCaptainEli，"andit\'ssomesmallcraft，ferthatcryisdownprettynightothewater。"
"Yes，"saidCaptainCephas。"Andthere\'sonlyonemanaboard，orelsethey\'dtaketurnsa-hollerin\'。"
"He\'sastranger，"saidCaptainEli，"orhewouldn\'thavetried，evenwithacat-boat，togetinoverthatshoalonebb-
tide。"
Astheyspoketheyrantheboatoutintothewaterandjumpedin，eachwithanoar。ThentheypulledfortheTurtle-backShoal。
Althoughthesetwocaptainsweremenoffiftyorthereabout，theywereasstrongandtoughasanyyoungfellowsinthevillage，andtheypulledwithsteadystrokes，andsenttheheavyboatskimmingoverthewater，notinastraightlinetowardtheTurtle-backShoal，butnowafewpointsinthedarknessthisway，andnowafewpointsinthedarknessthatway，thenwithagreatcurvetothesouththroughthedarknight，keepingalwaysnearthemiddleoftheonlygoodchanneloutofthebaywhenthetidewasebbing。
Nowthecriesfromseawardhadceased，butthetwocaptainswerenotdiscouraged。
"He\'sheardthethumpin\'ofouroars，"saidCaptainCephas。
"He\'slistenin\'，andhe\'llsingoutagainifhethinkswe\'regoin\'wrong，"saidCaptainEli。"Ofcoursehedoesn\'tknowanythingaboutthat。"
Andsowhentheymadethesweeptothesouththecrycameagain，andCaptainEligrinned。"Weneedn\'ttospendnobreathhollerin\'，"saidhe。"He\'llhearusmakin\'ferhiminaminute。"
Whentheycametoheadfortheshoaltheylayontheiroarsforamoment，whileCaptainCephasturnedthelanterninthebow，sothatitslightshoneoutahead。Hehadnotwantedtheshipwreckedpersontoseethelightwhenitwouldseemasiftheboatwererowingawayfromhim。Hehadheardofcastawaypeoplewhobecamesowildwhentheyimaginedthatashiporboatwasgoingawayfromthemthattheyjumpedoverboard。
Whenthetwocaptainsreachedtheshoal，theyfoundthereacat-boataground，withonemanaboard。Histalewasquicklytold。Hehadexpectedtorunintothelittlebaythatafternoon，butthewindhadfallen，andintryingtogetinafterdark，andbeingastranger，hehadrunaground。Ifhehadnotbeensocold，hesaid，hewouldhavebeenwillingtostaytheretillthetiderose；buthewasgettingchilled，andseeingalightnotfaraway，heconcludedtocallforhelpaslongashisvoiceheldout。
Thetwocaptainsdidnotaskmanyquestions。Theyhelpedanchorthecat-boat，andthentheytookthemanontheirboatandrowedhimtoshore。Hewasgettingchilledsittingouttheredoingnothing，andsowhentheyreachedthehousetheymadehimsomehotgrog，andpromisedinthemorning，whenthetiderose，theywouldgooutandhelphimbringhisboatin。ThenCaptainCephasshowedthestrangertoabunk，andtheyallwenttobed。
Suchexperienceshadnotenoughofnoveltytothegoodcaptainstokeepthemawakefiveminutes。
Inthemorningtheywereallupveryearly，andthestranger，whoprovedtobeaseafaringmanwithbrightblueeyes，saidthat，ashiscat-boatseemedtoberidingallrightatitsanchorage，hedidnotcaretogooutafterherjustyet。Anytimeduringflood-tidewoulddoforhim，andhehadsomebusinessthathewantedtoattendtoassoonaspossible。
Thissuitedthetwocaptainsverywell，fortheywishedtobeonhandwhenthelittlegirldiscoveredherstocking。
"Canyoutellme，"saidthestranger，asheputonhiscap，"whereIcanfindaMrs。Trimmer，wholivesinthisvillage？"
Atthesewordsallthesturdystiffnesswhich，fromhisyouthup，hadcharacterizedthelegsofCaptainElientirelywentoutofthem，andhesatsuddenlyuponabench。Forafewmomentstherewassilence。
ThenCaptainCephas，whothoughtsomeanswershouldbemadetothequestion，noddedhishead。
"IwanttoseeherassoonasIcan，"saidthestranger。"Ihavecometoseeheronparticularbusinessthatwillbeasurprisetoher。IwantedtobeherebeforeChristmasbegan，andthat\'sthereasonItookthatcat-boatfromStetford，becauseIthoughtI\'dcomequickerthatwaythanbyland。Butthewindfell，asItoldyou。IfeitheroneofyouwouldbegoodenoughtopilotmetowhereMrs。Trimmerlives，ortoanypointwhereIcangetasightoftheplace，I\'dbeobliged。"
CaptainEliroseandwithhurriedbutunsteadystepswentintothehouse(fortheyhadbeenuponthelittlepiazza)，andbeckonedtohisfriendtofollow。Thetwomenstoodinthekitchenandlookedateachother。ThefaceofCaptainEliwasofthehueofaclam-shell。
"Gowithhim，cap\'n，"hesaidinahoarsewhisper。"Ican\'tdoit。"
"Toyourhouse？"inquiredtheother。
"Ofcourse。Takehimtomyhouse。Thereain\'tnootherplacewheresheis。Takehimalong。"
CaptainCephas\'scountenanceworeanairofthedeepestconcern，buthethoughtthatthebestthingtodowastogetthestrangeraway。
AstheywalkedrapidlytowardCaptainEli\'shousetherewasverylittlesaidbyeitherCaptainCephasorthestranger。ThelatterseemedanxioustogiveMrs。Trimmerasurprise，andnottosayanythingwhichmightenableanotherpersontointerferewithhisproject。
ThetwomenhadscarcelysteppeduponthepiazzawhenMrs。
Trimmer，whohadbeenexpectingearlyvisitors，openedthedoor。
Shewasabouttocallout"MerryChristmas！"but，hereyesfallinguponastranger，thewordsstoppedatherlips。
Firstsheturnedred，thensheturnedpale，andCaptainCephasthoughtshewasabouttofall。Butbeforeshecoulddothisthestrangerhadherinhisarms。Sheopenedhereyes，whichforamomentshehadclosed，and，gazingintohisface，sheputherarmsaroundhisneck。ThenCaptainCephascameaway，withoutthinkingofthelittlegirlandthepleasureshewouldhaveindiscoveringherChristmasstocking。
Whenhehadbeenleftalone，CaptainElisatdownnearthekitchenstove，closetotheverykettlewhichhehadfilledwithwatertoheatforthebenefitofthemanhehadhelpedbringinfromthesea，and，withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhisfingersinhishair，hedarklypondered。
"IfI\'donlysleptwithmyhard-o\'-hearin\'earup，"hesaidtohimself，"I\'dneverhaveheardit。"
Inafewmomentshisbetternaturecondemnedthisthought。
"That\'snexttomurder，"hemuttered，"ferhecouldn\'thavekepthimselffromfallin\'asleepoutthereinthecold，andwhenthetiderizheldhavebeenblowedouttoseawiththiswind。IfIhadn\'theardhim，CaptainCephasneverwould，ferhewasn\'tprimeduptowake，asIwas。"
But，notwithstandinghisbetternature，CaptainEliwasagainsayingtohimself，whenhisfriendreturned，"IfI\'donlysleptwithmyotherearup！"
Likethehonest，straightforwardmarinerhewas，CaptainCephasmadeanexactreportofthefacts。"Theywashuggin\'whenIleftthem，"hesaid，"andIexpecttheywentindoorsprettysoon，feritwastoocoldoutside。It\'sanall-firedshameshehappenedtobeinyourhouse，cap\'n，that\'sallI\'vegottosayaboutit。It\'sathunderin\'shame。"
CaptainElimadenoanswer。Hestillsatwithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhishandsinhishair。
"AbettercoursethanyoulaiddownfertheseChristmastimeswasneverdottedonachart，"continuedCaptainCephas。"Fromportofsailin\'toportofentryyoulaiditdownclearandfine。
Butitseemstherewasrocksthatwasn\'tmarkedonthechart。"
"Yes，"groanedCaptainEli，"therewasrocks。"
CaptainCephasmadenoattempttocomforthisfriend，butwenttoworktogetbreakfast。
Whenthatmeal——arathersilentone——wasover，CaptainElifeltbetter。"Therewasrocks，"hesaid，"andnotabreakertoshowwheretheylay，andIstruck\'embowon。Sothat\'stheendofthatvoyage。ButI\'vetuktomyboats，cap\'n，I\'vetuktomyboats。"
"I\'mgladtohearyou\'vetuktoyourboats，"saidCaptainCephas，withanapprovingglanceuponhisfriend。
AbouttenminutesafterwardsCaptainElisaid，"I\'mgoin\'uptomyhouse。"
"Byyourself？"saidtheother。
"Yes，bymyself。I\'drathergoalone。Idon\'tintendtomindanything，andI\'mgoin\'totellherthatshecanstaythereandspendChristmas，——theplaceshelivesinain\'tnoplacetospendChristmas，——andshecanmakethelittlegalhaveagoodtime，andgo\'longjustasweintendedtogo\'long——plum-duffandmince-pieallthesame。Icanstayhere，andyouandmecanhaveourChristmasdinnertogether，ifwechoosetogiveitthatname。
Andifsheain\'treadytogoto-morrow，shecanstayadayortwolonger。It\'sallthesametome，ifit\'sthesametoyou，cap\'n。"
CaptainCephashavingsaidthatitwasthesametohim，CaptainEliputonhiscapandbuttoneduphispea-jacket，declaringthatthesoonerhegottohishousethebetter，asshemightbethinkingthatshewouldhavetomoveoutofitnowthatthingsweredifferent。
BeforeCaptainElireachedhishousehesawsomethingwhichpleasedhim。Hesawthesea-goingstranger，withhisbacktowardhim，walkingrapidlyinthedirectionofthevillagestore。
CaptainEliquicklyenteredhishouse，andinthedoorwayoftheroomwherethetreewashemetMrs。Trimmer，beamingbrighterthananymorningsunthateverrose。
"MerryChristmas！"sheexclaimed，holdingoutbothherhands。
"I\'vebeenwonderingandwonderingwhenyou\'dcometobidme`MerryChristmas\'——themerriestChristmasI\'veeverhad。"
CaptainElitookherhandsandbidher"MerryChristmas"verygravely。
Shelookedalittlesurprised。"What\'sthematter，CaptainEli？"
sheexclaimed。"Youdon\'tseemtosaythatasifyoumeantit。"
"Oh，yes，Ido，"heanswered。"Thismustbeanall-fired——I
meanathunderin\'happyChristmasferyou，Mrs。Trimmer。"
"Yes，"saidshe，herfacebeamingagain。"AndtothinkthatitshouldhappenonChristmasday——thatthisblessedmorning，beforeanythingelsehappened，myBob，myonlybrother，should——"
"Yourwhat！"roaredCaptainEli，asifhehadbeenshoutingordersinaragingstorm。
Mrs。Trimmersteppedbackalmostfrightened。"Mybrother，"
saidshe。"Didn\'thetellyouhewasmybrother——mybrotherBob，whosailedawayayearbeforeIwasmarried，andwhohasbeeninAfricaandChinaandIdon\'tknowwhere？It\'ssolongsinceI
heardthathe\'dgoneintotradingatSingaporethatI\'dgivenhimupasmarriedandsettledinforeignparts。Andherehehascometomeasifhe\'dtumbledfromtheskyonthisblessedChristmasmorning。"
CaptainElimadeastepforward，hisfaceverymuchflushed。
"Yourbrother，Mrs。Trimmer——didyoureallysayitwasyourbrother？"
"Ofcourseitis，"saidshe。"Whoelsecoulditbe？"Thenshepausedforamomentandlookedsteadfastlyatthecaptain。
"Youdon\'tmeantosay，CaptainEli，"sheasked，"thatyouthoughtitwas——"
"Yes，Idid，"saidCaptainEli，promptly。
Mrs。Trimmerlookedstraightinthecaptain\'seyes，thenshelookedontheground。Thenshechangedcolorandchangedbackagain。
"Idon\'tunderstand，"shesaidhesitatingly，"why——Imeanwhatdifferenceitmade。"
"Difference！"exclaimedCaptainEli。"Itwasallthedifferencebetweenamanondeckandamanoverboard——that\'sthedifferenceitwastome。Ididn\'texpecttobetalkin\'toyousoearlythisChristmasmornin\'，butthingshasbeensprungonme，andIcan\'thelpitIjustwanttoaskyouonething：DidyouthinkIwasgettin\'upthisChristmastreeandtheChristmasdinnerandthewholebusinessferthegoodofthelittlegal，andferthegoodofyou，andferthegoodofCaptainCephas？"
Mrs。Trimmerhadnowrecoveredaveryfairpossessionofherself。"OfcourseIdid，"sheanswered，lookingupathimasshespoke。"Whoelsecouldithavebeenfor！"
"Well，"saidhe，"youweremistaken。Itwasn\'tferanyoneofyou。Itwasallferme——fermyownself。"
"Youyourself？"saidshe。"Idon\'tseehow。"
"ButIseehow，"heanswered。"It\'sbeenalongtimesinceI
wantedtospeakmymindtoyou，Mrs。Trimmer，butIdidn\'teverhavenochance。AndalltheseChristmasdoin\'swasgotuptogivemethechancenotonlyofspeakin\'toyou，butofshowin\'mycolorsbetterthanIcouldshowtheminanyotherway。
Everythingwentona-skimmin\'tillthismornin\'，whenthatstrangerthatwebroughtinfromtheshoalpipedupandaskedferyou。ThenIwentoverboard——atleast，IthoughtIdid——andsunkdown，down，cleanoutofsoundin\'s。"
"Thatwastoobad，captain，"saidshe，speakingverygently，"afterallyourtroubleandkindness。"
"ButIdon\'tknownow，"hecontinued，"whetherIwentoverboardorwhetherIamondeck。Canyoutellme，Mrs。
Trimmer？"
Shelookedupathim。Hereyeswereverysoft，andherlipstrembledjustalittle。"Itseemstome，captain，"shesaid，"thatyouareondeck——ifyouwanttobe。"
Thecaptainsteppedclosertoher。"Mrs。Trimmer，"saidhe，"isthatbrotherofyourscomin\'back？"
"Yes，"sheanswered，surprisedatthesuddenquestion。"He\'sjustgoneuptothestoretobuyashirtandsomethings。Hegothimselfsplashedtryingtopushhisboatofflastnight。"
"Well，then，"saidCaptainEli，"wouldyoumindtellin\'himwhenhecomesbackthatyouandme\'sengagedtobemarried？I
don\'tknowwhetherI\'vemadeamistakeinthelightsornot，butwouldyoumindtellin\'himthat？"
Mrs。Trimmerlookedathim。Hereyeswerenotsosoftastheyhadbeen，buttheywerebrighter。"I\'dratheryou\'dtellhimthatyourself，"saidshe。
ThelittlegirlsatonthefloorneartheChristmastree，justfinishingalargepieceofred-and-whitecandywhichshehadtakenoutofherstocking。"PeopledohugalotatChristmas-
time，"saidshetoherself。Thenshedrewoutapieceofblue-
and-whitecandyandbeganonthat。
CaptainCephaswaitedalongtimeforhisfriendtoreturn，andatlasthethoughtitwouldbewelltogoandlookforhim。
WhenheenteredthehousehefoundMrs。Trimmersittingonthesofaintheparlor，withCaptainEliononesideofherandherbrotherontheother，andeachofthemholdingoneofherhands。
"ItlooksasifIwasinport，don\'tit？"saidCaptainElitohisastonishedfriend。"Well，hereIam，andhere\'smyfustmate，"inclininghisheadtowardMrs。Trimmer。"Andshe\'sinporttoo，safeandsound。Andthatstrangecaptainontheothersideofher，he\'sherbrotherBob，who\'sbeenawayforyearsandyears，andisjusthomefromMadagascar。"
"Singapore，"amendedBrotherBob。
CaptainCephaslookedfromonetotheotherofthethreeoccupantsofthesofa，butmadenoimmediateremark。Presentlyasmileofgenialmaliciousnessstoleoverhisface，andheasked，"Howaboutthepoorlittlegal？HaveyousentherbacktoMrs。
Crumley\'s？"
