44 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



watch, while the vessel, with lights aloft, cleaved with 

 its prow the phosphorescent waves, and was followed 

 in its wake by a track of fire, Quartermaster Lucas, 

 his elbow resting on the stern, his eye losing itself in 

 the distance, would seek the two white lights of Heve^ 

 that gleam each night sweet and clear like the looks 

 of a friend. 



With such ideas, it will be understood that our 

 acquaintance would prolong his time in the navy no 

 more than necessary, and in fact he hastened, when 

 his dismissal was obtained, to cast off the blue jacket 

 and the lettered cap, to take up as in the past hia 

 interrupted fishing, to marry and found a family of 

 sailors : it would be strange to see a sailor's son who 

 was not himself a sailor. His prayers, however, were 

 not at first all granted. Lucas had to begin with five 

 daughters, and only after ten years had he the great 

 satisfaction of seeing at last a son and heir. 



At the time our narrative commences the five 

 daughters are all married to fishermen. The wily 

 Norman has them all established in different localities, 

 so that almost wherever the chances of his seafaring 

 may take him he is sure to find a good lodging and 

 supper, besides the pleasure of seeing his child. This 

 he calls his " shepherd's round." 



His son had terminated this very year his service 

 to the State. 



Leon sketched in a few words these details for his 



