CAPT. M. That is true. But we drifted to some purpose, for we struck a splendid school of halibut, and we stayed till we filled up. That’s the reason I did not write. And when we landed, I ran up to Annisport, and found Mother Gandy and Leafy Jane wanted to come with me, and so we all came along together. (_Shakes hands all round, returns to_ MARY.) MARY. But, William, where have you been all this time? CAPT. M. Oh, I had to go to the bank for father to pay the interest on a note— MRS. G. But we thought we’d come right along— MARY. Why didn’t you tell me, mother? MRS. G. William told me not to. He wanted to s’prise yer. J. Q. A. She thought she wouldn’t “tell you all at once, for fear you couldn’t bore it.” PHUS. I seen de cap’n at de pos’-office. He say, “How Mis Miller?” I say, “Bos’, an’ de baby, too.” Golly, wa’n’t it a big s’prise? MARY. See, William, here’s my license as captain. I sent to Washington for a license, and here it is. (_Shows it to him._) MRS. G. Think of aour Mary’s bein’ a cap’n. Haow lucky! An’, naow, if anything happens to you, William, she can allus get a livin’, ’cos she can manage her own boat. J. Q. A. Yes, and she can paddle her own canoe. L. J. John Quincy Adams Gandy, how very vulgar! CAPT. G. (_to_ WILLIAM). What’ll _you_ do, neaow Mary’s made capt’n? Haow’ll _you_ git along? MARY. Oh, we’ll both be captains. CAPT. M. No! She shall be captain still; and I’ll be her mate. It won’t be the first time a man has sailed through life under the orders of a brave and true-hearted woman,—nor the last, I hope. And so, Captain Mary Miller, I salute you. (_Makes a naval salute._) PHUS. Wid a kiss! wid a kiss! Mars cap’n, kiss mis’ cap’n. CAPT. M. Yes, to please you, my good fellow (and myself also), it shall be with a kiss. (_Kisses her hand_). My captain! _Disposition of characters_: R. C. L. CAPT. G. MRS. G. HANK AND L. J. CAPT. M. AND MARY. J. Q. A. PHUS.