"Eight! eight, by G.o.dfreys! "Twas a strain, but I kept it."
"You managed it all beautifully, Daniel," declared Serena. "I am proud of you."
"We"re all proud of you, Captain Dan," said John.
The captain smiled happily.
"Much obliged," he said, "but I ain"t the one you ought to be proud of. When it comes to real managin" I ain"t knee-high to the ship"s cat alongside of Gertie there. She"s the one who pulled this family through.
No sir-ee! if you"ve got any time to spare bein" proud of folks, don"t be proud of Cap"n Dan, but of Cap"n Dan"s daughter. Sit down, all hands.
Here comes dinner--at last."
THE END