He was a grizzly bearded sea-captain of seventy, with manner and speech suggestive of the brine.

Breaking from Parsons and Booth, I ran to meet him.  He shook both my hands and then clapped me on the shoulder.

“Cast up on a lee shore, are you, Roger?” he exclaimed.  “And the wind a-blowing a hurricane.”

“Yes, I am,” I replied, “and I’m mighty glad you’ve come, Uncle Enos.”

“Just dropped anchor in time,” he went on.  “Judge Penfold, do you remember me?”

“You are Carson Strong’s brother-in-law, I believe?” replied the judge.

“You’ve hit it.  Captain Enos Moss, part owner and sailing master of the Hattie Baker, as trim a craft as ever rounded the Horn.  Been away for three years, and now on shore to stay.”

“You’re not going on any more voyages?” I queried.

“No, my hearty.  I’ve made enough to keep me, and I’m getting too old to walk the quarter-deck.  Besides, I’ve heard of your father’s troubles from Kate, and I reckon they need sounding.”

“Indeed they do.”

“Well, now about your difficulty.  A thousand-dollar bond, eh.  It’s pretty stiff, but I guess I can stand it.”

“Thank you, sir,” was all I could say.

“Don’t say a word.  Didn’t your father put in a good word for me when I was a-courting your aunt that’s dead and gone—­ God bless her!  Indeed, he did!  And I’ll stand by you, Roger, no matter how hard the gale blows.”

“Then you don’t think I’m guilty?”

“What! a lad with your bearing a thief?  Not much.  The people in this village must be asleep—­ not to know better’n that?”

“Ahem!” coughed Judge Penfold, sternly.  He considered my uncle’s remarks decidedly impertinent.  “Are you able to go his bail?” he asked.

“Reckon I am.  I’ve just deposited ten thousand dollars in the bank here, and I’ve got twenty and more in New York.  How will you have it—­ in cash?”

“A conditional check, certified, will do,” replied Judge Penfold, shortly.

What he meant had to be explained, and then we all went to the banker’s office.  My uncle’s account was found to be as he had stated, and about ten minutes later my bond was signed and I was at liberty to go where I pleased until called upon to appear.

Mr. Aaron Woodward and John Stumpy apparently did not relish the turn affairs had taken.  But I paid no attention to them, and the business over, I hurried off with my sister and my newly arrived uncle.

“Did you find the statement?” I asked of Kate, as soon as we were out of hearing of the crowd.

“No, Roger, I looked and looked, but it wasn’t anywhere, either at the tool house or on the way to Judge Penfold’s.”

“Have you heard from Mrs. Canby yet?”

“Yes, she is coming home.”

“Does she blame me for what has happened?”

“She doesn’t say.”

“Never mind, Roger.  We’ll stick up for you,” put in Uncle Enos, kindly.