Sure enough, while the bells rang, Joby saw the door of his own house open, and his own wife come stepping towards the church, leaning on a man's arm. And who should that man be but Tommy Warne? "And to think I've lived fifteen years with that woman, and never lifted my hand to her!" Said the bird, "The wedding is fixed for eleven o'clock, and 'tis on the stroke now. If I was you, Joby, I'd climb down and put back the church clock." "And so I would, if I knew how to get to it." "You've but to slide down my leg to the parapet: and from the parapet you can jump right on to the string-course under the clock." Joby slid down the bird's leg, and jumped on to the ledge. He had never before noticed a clock in Wendron Church tower; but there one was, staring him in the face. "Now," cried his friend, "catch hold of the minute-hand and turn!" Joby did so--"Widdershins!" screamed the bird: "faster! faster!" Joby whizzed back the minute-hand with all his might. "Aie, ul--ul--oo! Lemme go! 'Tis my arm you're pullin' off!" 'Twas his own wife's voice in his own four-poster. Joby had slid down the bed-post and caught hold of her arm, and was workin' it round like mad from right to left. "I ax your pardon, my dear. I was thinkin' you was another man's bride." "Indeed, I must say you wasn't behavin' like it," said she. But when she got up and lit a candle, she was pleased enough. For Joby's eyes were as straight as yours or mine. And straight they have been ever since. VISITORS AT THE GUNNEL ROCK. A LIGHTSHIP IDYLL. When first the Trinity Brothers put a light out yonder by the Gunnel Rocks, it was just a trifling makeshift affair for the time--none of your proper lightships with a crew of twelve or fourteen hands; and my father and I used to tend it, taking turn and turn with two other fellows from the Islands. I'm talking of old days. The rule then-- they have altered it since--was two months afloat and two ashore; and all the time we tossed out there on duty, not a soul would we see to speak to except when the Trinity boat put off with stores for us and news of what was doing in the world. This would be about once a fortnight in fair weather; but through the winter time it was oftener a month, and provisions ran low enough, now and then, to make us anxious. "Was the life dreary?" Well, you couldn't call it gay; but, you see, it didn't kill me.