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98 who had just caught sight of him, Sammy abruptly weighed anchor and ran before the wind toward the stable.

"Funny lot, these natives! Act as if they owned the place, and are as stupid as their own fish," said the youth in the white yachting-suit, as he flung away his cigarette end.

"Don't agree with you, Fred. I've known people of this sort all my life, and a finer set of honest, hard-working, independent men I never met,—brave as lions and tender as women in spite of their rough ways," answered the other young man, who wore blue flannel and had a gold band on his cap.

"Sailors and soldiers always stand by one another; so of course you see the best side of these fellows, Captain. The girls are fine creatures, I grant you; but their good looks don't last long, more's the pity!"

"Few women's would with the life they lead, so full of hard work, suspense, and sorrow. No one knows till one is tried, how much courage and faith it takes to keep young and happy when the men one loves are on the great sea," said a quiet, gray-haired lady as she laid her hand on the knee of the young man in blue with a look that made him smile affectionately at her, with his own brown hand on hers.

"Should n't wonder if Ben Bowen was laid up, since the girl brings the fish. He 's a fine old fellow. I've been to No Man's Land many a time blue-fishing with him; must ask after him," said an elderly gentleman who was pacing to and fro yearning for the morning papers.