Those were delightful visits, when I was on shore in New Zealand, divided between Mr Denning's up-country farm, where he has grown strong as one of his own horses, and the Frewens' charming house just outside Auckland, where he is the most famous doctor for miles. Mr Frewen and Mr Denning are like brothers, of course, and they are always tempting me to leave the sea and settle in that grand new England; but no--I resist, and keep to my profession, and I suppose I always shall, for, as Bob Hampton says, "a man might do worse than go to sea." "Not as I hold much with having ladies on board, my lad," the old fellow once said. "They're okkard an' in the way, unless they're the same kind as Miss Denning--I mean Mrs Frewen, bless her heart!--for it was like havin' of a hangel with us. But I say, Mr Dale, sir," he added with a chuckle; "her brother didn't like the doctor, bein' a bit jealous like; but I says to Neb Dumlow and Barney when they first come aboard,--`You see if them two don't make up a match.'" "You did, lad," said Barney. "That's so," said Neb. For they did; but all through that voyage such an idea never entered my mind. I was a boy then, on my first long voyage. A perilous one too. And would I go through it again? No, not for untold gold. I don't know though. Yes! I would--if once more I were a boy. THE END.