The next morning they awoke, filled with the life and energy that always wait upon youth and a sound constitution, and almost inclined to believe their recent adventure to be but a troubled dream. Only a few bruises, and the marks about their bodies of the ropes by which they had been drawn aboard the schooner, remained as traces of what they had undergone. The sea had gone down so rapidly the day before that the crew of the _Albatross_ had been able to resume their fishing by noon, and had had remarkably good-luck until night. By a mutual agreement, suggested by the man who had been watchmate with Breeze that morning, they devoted half an hour to their brave young comrade, and the entire catch of fish, made during that time, was credited to him in the ship’s books. The next morning when Breeze came on deck he saw the skipper talking to a well-built young stranger, whose naturally ruddy face had not yet wholly recovered its color. For an instant he wondered who it could be, and where he had come from. Then it flashed across him that this was the person whom he had rescued from the sea; and, not knowing exactly what to do or say, he stood looking at him curiously. The young stranger noticing him, said something to the skipper, who turned quickly and exclaimed, “Good-morning, Breeze! Why, you are looking as fresh as a daisy. This is Mr. Wolfe Brady,” he added, indicating the lad who stood beside him. “Although you two have already been dorymates, he declares he has never seen you before, and I am certain you have never been introduced. Mr. Brady, Mr. McCloud.” In assuming this jesting tone the skipper hoped to put the young men at their ease, and relieve their first meeting of the embarrassment they might naturally be expected to feel under the circumstances. There was a long, firm hand-clasp between the two who had so nearly met death together; but for a moment neither of them spoke. Then Wolfe Brady said, “They tell me you saved my life, and nearly lost your own in doing it. I can’t thank you, because I haven’t the gift; but if ever the time comes when you can use it, I will offer my life to you as freely as you offered yours for me.” “Thank you,” answered Breeze, simply. “I am very glad I succeeded in reaching you; but how did you happen to be afloat on that dory?” [Illustration: THERE WAS A LONG FIRM HAND-CLASP BETWEEN THEM.]