‘an’ I told you I could beat the Mary Collins.’ “But it wasn’t shwimmin’ that saved Doolan, ner food, ner reshponsibility, ner even the beauties of nature, though he had a chance durin’ the night he fell over to view thim at close range. It was the life-buoy that saved Doolan, an’ kep’ him floatin’ till he was picked up next mornin’ by a shmarter boat that beat the Mary Collins to Bombay by one tide. I’m not sayin’ but that the others air sushtainin’ too, but it was the life-buoy that saved Doolan.” “There are many kinds of life-buoys, Mr. Larkins,” laughed Edith Gale, “and I confess that Mr. Doolan seems to have found the one best suited to his needs. What is your experience, Mr. Emory?” The quiet Second Officer was silent for a moment, and his face saddened. “I was shipwrecked once,” he said. “We lost our vessel and drifted for a long time in a leaky boat. A good many died. I was kept up by the memory of a girl, waiting for me at home. When I got there——” Mr. Emory paused as if to gather himself. It had grown very still in the saloon. “She was dead,” he concluded, “so you see my shipwreck and dark night are not over yet.” Our narrow round had indeed brought us close together. I doubt if Emory had ever spoken of this before to any one. Edith Gale laid her hand on his arm. “And she is still waiting,” she said, “you must not forget that.” “Suppose we hear from you, Chase,” said Gale, after a pause. Matters had taken rather an unexpected turn. I felt that I could not discuss what would best sustain me through the dark night ahead without putting myself and one other person in a trying position. I made an effort to gain time. “I think we should hear from the Admiral, now,” I said. “Oh, well,” said Gale, “I’m not bashful if I _have_ got new clothes on. Here’s a few observations that I’ve jotted down from time to time, not especially for a dark night, but for any old night, or day either, when you happen to think about ’em.” Gale straightened back and pulled down his vest comfortably. “Seventeen Observations,” he began, “by Chauncey Gale. Homes and Firesides a Specialty.” I. “This is a good world if we just think so. The toothache is about the worst thing in it, and we can have the tooth pulled. II. “There ain’t so many mistakes in this world as people think. A man’s pretty apt to get where he belongs by the time he’s forty. III. “It’s easy to get rich if people only know it. Most folks want to make too hard work of it. IV. “There may be men who could get rich playing poker, but I’ve only happened to meet the ones that had _tried_ it. V. “It isn’t hard work to judge human nature if you let the other man do the talking. VI. “A man’s word may be as good as his bond, but if it is he won’t mind giving his bond, too. VII. “The commuter who keeps his lawn mowed is a gentleman. If he mows the vacant lot next to him, he’s fit for a better world. VIII. “Many a man is a blamed fool with the best intentions in the world.