“Dear Estelle: I ain't done the trick I was going to do this trip. The Captain woke up too soon and stoped me. But I've got a fellow here on bord that's going to see me threw next trip so don't you go down to Saginaw yet. Wait til you see me at Spencer's and Ile tell you al about the scheme itll be worth a thousand cool anyway I should say its worth waiting for. I'm doing it for you you know so don't you get impatent but just wait a litle longer and we 'll have a gay old time. “Joe.” When he gave the wheel to Dick, Harper repeated to him the whole conversation and asked him what he made of it. “Give it up.” “You don't think he's layin' for you, do you? I couldn't tell what he was up to. Of course he wouldn't hardly let me see into his game the first time we talked.” “Oh, no,--hardly.” “Will I go on lettin' him talk to me?” “If you see any fun in it.” “It ain't that--I thought maybe we could find out what he's after.” “I don't want to know about it.” “But you don't think he 'll try to--stick it into you anyway?” “Let him try. He can't do much harm.” “Well--” “Take my advice, Pink, and quit thinking about him. I don't like this business any more than you do, but the worse it is the less I want to know about it. When we get back we 'll fire him, and that will end it.” “Don't you think we'd better tie him up, or somethin'?” “That wouldn't do any good. You'd better tumble below and get some sleep. There's nothing like it when you're a little worked up.” Dick had indeed something else to think of than his rascal of a mate. Only four days of sailing, if the wind should hold, lay between the _Merry Anne_ and the Annie for whom she had been named. These days would slip away before he knew it, and then? The uncertainty was hard, but still he dreaded the meeting--that might be harder still. Off Waukegan on the last day the wind swung around to the south, nearly dead ahead; and as the schooner lost headway and was forced into beating to windward, the dread suddenly gave place to impatience. So variable were his thoughts indeed, as the miles slipped astern and the long green bluff that ends in Grosse Pointe grew nearer and plainer, that his courage oozed away. Far down the Lake, between the Lake View crib and the horizon, was a speck of a sail. Dick's heart sank--he knew as if he could make out the painted name that it was the _Captain_. He watched it hungrily as the _Merry Anne_, headed in close to the waterworks pier, swept easily around, and started on the last outward tack. Then he called to Pink, and had the sheets hauled close; and he laughed softly and nervously as the schooner responded with a list to port and a merry little fling of spray. He could at least come in with a rush, with all his colors flying.