"That's hard to say. I was born on the ocean when my father and mother were coming from England. My father was French and my mother was Russian. We lived in the States two years after I was born and then we went to Bermuda a year or two and finally we wound up in Brazil. From Brazil we moved to Sweden and then went to Constantinople. After my father and mother died I came to England and then moved to Montreal. Now, if you can tell me where I belong and what I am you'll do better than I have been able to do for myself." "I think you're a first cousin of the Wandering Jew," laughed Fred. "Perhaps I am more like the Man Without a Country," said the man soberly. "I have come up here from Montreal every summer for the last few years." "Why, how do you get here?" inquired Fred. "I come up the Ottawa River from Montreal and then I leave the river at Mattawa. It is easy going then from Lake Nippising, across the Georgian Bay, and from Georgian Bay into Lake Huron doesn't take very long. Have you ever been there, boys?" "Where?" inquired Fred. "Georgian Bay." "No, sir." "Then you have missed one of the prettiest spots in America. I never tire--" The man stopped abruptly as the mate of the _Gadabout_ suddenly appeared in the doorway. Without waiting for an invitation he at once entered the room and then to the surprise of the two boys extended his hand and received from his host a small package which he quickly thrust into the pocket of his coat. The action although simple in itself nevertheless was surprising to the boys. It was manifest that the mate already was acquainted with the occupant of the house and also that he was having relations with him. Just what these were neither of the boys understood, but before many days elapsed they both were keenly excited by the recollection of the simple exchange which they had just seen in the kitchen of the old house on the shore of Cockburn Island. CHAPTER IV THE COMING OF THE GADABOUT It was quickly manifest to the two interested boys that the mate and their host were well acquainted with each other. Puzzled as they were to account for the familiar greeting it was not long before John whispered to his companion, "I suppose that man has been coming here so many years that he knows all the men on the lake. That must be the reason why they know each other so well." "I guess that's right," said Fred, who was watching the men with an interest which he was not entirely able to explain even to himself. The mate was endeavoring to speak in whispers, but his voice was so penetrating that it carried into the remote corners of the house, although no one was able to distinguish the words which he spoke.