Page 24 (1/2)

"No, brother," I said to hiift Let

it be that if I can win the dog, and if he will take me as his master

and friend, he shall be mine And you take the pistol, and have a care

of it"

"That's all right!" said Lafitte shyly, yet delightedly, as I could

see

"Here, Partial!" I called to the dog; and being young and friendly,

and attached to neither in particular, and only in general worshiping

the creature Boy, he came to me! I fed him, stroked him, looked into

his eyes And in a few moments he put his feet on an to talk to ainstcould say

in oath of feudal service, pledging loyalty of life and lian to see the world had s in

it of which I had never known; but which, noas resolved to know

"Honorable is e with soboat?" inquired Hiroshimi

"Yes," I answered "At once All four of us Put the stuff aboard,

Hiro"

So, somewhat crowded as the Sea Rover ith three boys and a

dog, not to mention our supplies and our aro aboard Hiro was not surprised, and asked

no questions With the salaam hich he announced dinner, he now

announced his own departure for his duties at my deserted house; and

as he walked he never turned around for curious gaze Often, often

have I, in s in the Eastern philosophy, endeavored to

analyze and to emulate this Oriental cals unessential and things unavoidable An

enviable character, my boy Hiroshiood ship Sea Rover

"Stand by the main braces!" roared Lafitte