"But we will not multiply words unnecessarily," said Miss Wilmot; "for, whether we ride or sail, it is time we were preparing to go. What say you, good victor, shall we saddle our horses or spread our sails ?"

"I would thank you to answer that question," replied Vincent; "for, to say the truth, it is quite immaterial to me which we do, as, in either case, we shall have the pleasure of your company."

This remark caught the ear of Brown, who was at that moment looking out of the window, and he turned quickly round, throwing a glance full of meaning at Vincent, but said nothing.

"I shall not oblige you so far as to decide the matter," rejoined Clara; "you have laboured hard for the right of choosing between my proposition and that of the gentleman whose attention has been so suddenly attracted by some new feature in the landscape; and choose you must, or we stay at home. I have said that I preferred riding, but it was only that I might have an opportunity of giving you the promised lesson in horsemanship. You will therefore please to decide without reference to me."

"Then," said Vincent, "if it be agreeable to Mr. Brown and Mr. Jenks" (who at that moment entered), "we will make an excursion on the water."

CHAPTER XIV.

THE party being ready, they walked down to the shore, where Barnes was waiting in the boat to receive them. The sail was run up, and in a few moments the voyage commenced under favourable auspices. There was enough of wind to carry them briskly along, but not to raise the waves so high as to produce an unpleasant rocking of the boat. Old Barnes, to whose skill the management of the craft was committed, sat in the stern holding the tiller; while his son, who always accompanied him in such expeditions, was near the bow, watching the course of the vessel, and occasionally volunteering a little advice to his father concerning the propriety of luffing or bearing away.

These remarks of Charlie's were generally taken in good part by the old fisherman, especially when they appeared to accord with his own infallible judgment; in which case, he seemed pleased with the knowledge displayed by his son. But it not unfrequently happened, that Charlie ventured to give advice which the old man deemed it unsafe to follow; when the latter would reprimand him severely for presuming to recommend something (perhaps quite unimportant), which, considering the excellent opportunities he had had, he ought to know might

endanger the lives of all on board. Charlie never failed to vindicate his opinion, and often retorted in terms which a stranger would consider highly disrespectful; but which those acquainted with the strong attachment subsisting between this worthy couple, and their daily habit of indulging in these sharp encounters upon nautical subjects, regarded only as a freedom of speech involving no want of proper respect.

This talking was carried on by

Barnes and his hopeful son in a tone of voice sufficiently loud to interrupt the conversation of those who sat between them; and it was, for a while, a source of amusement to their auditors, to see with how much earnestness each maintained his own opinion, by arguments which he thought to be conclusive. Charlie evidently imagined that he knew infinitely more than his father, and even hinted that the old gentleman lacked courage in a brisk wind; while the latter averred that the former was a rash, inexperienced boy, who ought to know much more than he did, and who would one day disgrace his father by some unheard-of manœuvre with a boat. Occasionally, as we have observed, the boy would issue an order, which old Barnes promptly obeyed: he was then sure to be commended for his skill and judgment in matters of which, a moment previous, he had been accused of knowing nothing. was poor Charlie alternately condemned and praised, till, growing weary of the dispute, he stretched himself on the forward deck and became silent, allowing the old man to take his own course, and to talk on as long as he pleased.

Thus

"What luck have you had to-day, Mr. Barnes?" asked Vincent.

"The worst in the world," replied the old man ; "for you might hold in the palm of your hand all the fish I've caught this blessed day. The devil feeds 'em, I believe, or keeps 'em for his own eating; for not a mother's son has so much as nibbled at my bait, though it was as good as ever was put on a hook. Somehow or other, this fishing is getting to be a bad business. Now I remember the time, and tain't many years ago neither, when I could go to Whitestone Pint, or to any other fishing-grounds about these parts, and, if the tide suited, I could ketch as many fish in half an hour as would last me to live on a hull week-"

"Good gracious, father!" interrupted Charlie, laughing: "that must a been before my time, and I know it; for I'll be whipt if there's been any fishing in my day like that you're telling on. Ha, ha, ha! that's a good one; I like that."

"Hold your tongue, you devil's imp," cried old Barnes, "or I'll throw you overboard. What do you know about the fishing we used to have, you young water-rat? I tell you I've caught more fish in one month at Whitestone Pint, than ever you'll see, if you live to be as old as Methuselah, that Scripture gives account on. But you warn't thought about then."

"Well, didn't I say, dad, that it must a been afore my time; for I'm-sartin there ha'n't been nothing like that since this child come. Ha, ha, ha !

it takes you to tell big stories. Don't let her go about, father; what the deuse ails you? you'd had us all to the bottom in a jiffey, like as not. You mustn't talk to me now 'bout not knowing how to manage a boat; for, by the pokers, I could sail her up and down the Sound a week, and wouldn't come as nigh oversetting her as you did just now."

"And whose fault was that, you young brat?" said Barnes, much irritated by the language of his son, and not a little mortified that he had allowed Charlie to call his attention so completely from his duty, that the boat unexpectedly luffed, and for a moment placed the party, who were all on one side, in some danger of an overturn. "Your confounded prattle bothered me so that I didn't see how she was going; and if we had, by chance, been knocked over by a squall, 'twould have been your fault, and not mine. By the powers, you deserve a flogging for your rascally talk, and I ain't sure but I'll peel you yet; for you know better, you sartainly do. Now keep that tongue of yours quiet till we get ashore; and if I hear you say another word this arternoon, I'll pay you for it tonight the worst way, you may depend."

"Don't trouble yourself about me," replied Charlie, in a good-humoured tone, "for I'll be as still as a clam. I'll just look with all the eyes I've got, and say nothing; so now you may go on with your fish-story for all me; and if you don't give us enough before you've done, then there's no snakes in Virginny. But, afore I begin to be dumb, I