“Ye’ll do, lad,” was the captain’s comment, when at last they came ashore.  “Ye’re worth botherin’ with, I kin see that all right.  If ye don’t know more’n yer master in a few months, I’ll be much surprised.  So, there now, take this pickerel to yer grandma, and tell her that ye took it out of the net yerself, and don’t ferget to give her my compliments.”

CHAPTER VIII

THE CHUMS TO THE RESCUE

Parson Dan and Mrs. Royal were greatly interested in the story Rod had to tell them that evening of his experiences during the day.  It seemed hardly possible that cranky Captain Josh could become such an interesting companion to a little boy.  They discussed it for some time after Rod had gone to bed.

“It is quite evident that the captain has taken a great fancy to Rodney,” Mrs. Royal remarked, as she bent her head over some needlework she had in her hands.  “But are you not a little anxious, Daniel?”

“Anxious!  About what?” the parson inquired, as he took his pipe from his mouth and looked questioningly at his wife.

“Oh, about the influence he might exert upon our boy.  Will it be for his good, do you think?”

“Umph!” and the clergyman blew a cloud of smoke into the air.  “Don’t let that worry you, Martha.  No harm will come to Rodney from this friendship.  It will be just the opposite, I believe, and he will influence the captain for good.”

“But Captain Josh never comes to church, Daniel, so what will people say?”

“Let them say, Martha.  They will talk, anyway, and they might as well have something to talk about.  It will create a little diversion.  No doubt Miss Arabella Simpkins will consider it her bounden duty to come right here, and express her views.  And suppose the captain doesn’t come to church, is that any reason why a little boy should shun him?  It may be the means of making Captain Josh see things in a different light.  Perhaps the Lord has a hand in this, and who am I to interfere with His plans?  He has often used children to lead men back to Him, and it may be that he is using Rodney now.”

As the weeks and months passed, Captain Josh and Rod became firmer friends than ever, and scarcely a day passed that they were not together for a while.  There were so many things for the boy to see and learn that his interest never waned.  He was so happy when out on the river in the Roaring Bess, and ere long he knew all about the boat, and could steer her almost as well as the captain himself.

When the fall settled in, and the weather became cold, the water was abandoned, and so the yacht was pulled out upon the stocks by means of a rude windlass.  Here, covered with a large canvas, she remained during the long winter months, safe from the driving storms which often raged over the land.