The _Frolic_ was abreast of them, and he held his breath with suspense. “It won’t take you half an hour,” he shouted anxiously. The grating of the cable was music in his ears as it ran out, and hardly able to believe in the success of his scheme he saw the crew taking in the sail they had just begun to set. Ten minutes later the _Frolic_ was rubbing against his side. The hatches were off the _Seamew_, and a lantern swinging in her hold shed a sickly light upon the sleepy faces of her crew. The mate was at the foc’sle whispering instructions to Annis. “Look alive,” said the master of the _Frolic_, “I’ll just take ’em on deck for the present.” He came fussily to the side to superintend, gazing curiously at Annis, who was standing watching the operations. “What a nice ship!” she said. “May I come on board?” “You’re quite welcome if you don’t get in the way,” was the reply. Accepting this qualified permission, Annis stepped on board and walked quietly round the deck. At the companion she paused and looked round. Everybody was busy; and trembling with nervousness, she hesitated a moment and then descended into the dark cabin. “That you, captain?” said a voice. “What are we stopping for?” Annis made no reply. “Who is it?” said the voice again. “Hush!” said Annis. “Oh, all right,” said Mr. Tillotson shortly. “What’s wrong?” Annis hesitated, waiting to hear another voice, but in vain. She fancied that she heard another person breathing, but that was all. “Father!” she cried, suddenly. “It’s me! Annis! Where are you?” There was a great shout from the other side of the cabin, and in the gloom she saw something spring up and come towards her. Something which caught her in a mighty grasp and crushed her soft face against a long, stiff beard. Laughing and crying together she put her arms about its neck and clung to it convulsively. “There, there, my lass!” said Captain Gething at last. “We only stopped you by a miracle,” said Annis hysterically. “The _Seamew_ is alongside, and why you wanted to run away again I don’t know.” “I don’t understand,” said Captain Gething wearily. “You can understand that _I_ wouldn’t take you into danger,” said Annis tenderly. “Put your coat on and come with me.” Without another word Captain Gething did as he was bid. He stopped, as though to speak to Tillotson, and then thinking better of it, followed his daughter on deck. “I’m not coming with you, cap’n,” he said as that ardent mariner passed them rolling a barrel along the deck. “A’ right,” said the other briefly; “you won’t get your money back.”