THE PILOT OF THE NANTUCKET (SHOALS.

“ Excuse me, sir, Ican’t do that ; Icould not do it legally, any way, you know,”
exclaimed Jack, “for I haven’t any license. I don’t want to, either,” he continued.
“Tt’s the duty of one sailor to help another in distress.”

That afternoon the Widow Winter and Captain Somerset had an interview in
the little front parlor ; and Jack heard his mother say, as the captain opened the
door to depart :

“‘T believe it is the wish dearest to his heart; we Nantucket mothers expect
our sons to go to séa, you know —and serve their country, too,” she added, as
her eye lingered for a moment on the old sword.

A fortnight passed, and Nantucket settled down to its regular humdrum
existence.

Hunk and Jack had gone fishing again, and this time returned with the
promised barrelful of mackerel.

One morning Gran’ther appeared in a flurry, with a letter. It was a big
one, with “ Official Business, Navy Department,” stamped in the corner.

It was addressed to “Mr. John Winter” and, whatever was in it, the letter
seemed to please the boy immensely.

Three days later, bag and baggage, Jack departed from his island home.

In a little while came another letter for the Winter cottage, this time for
the widow.

It was postmarked Annapolis, Md.

“‘T wonder if the boy can pass the examination ?” said Mrs. Winter.

“T’m a little ’feard, Mary,” remarked Gran’ther, as he handed her the letter ;
“they say it’s powerful hard.”

The widow tore it open and read it quickly to the end, and then with a smile
thrust the signature under Gran’ther’s spectacles.

There, in a bold boy’s hand, was subscribed, semi-officially : Jonn WINTER,

Midshipman, CG Alexander Ritchie
v Ritchie.