178 FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 



and vexed by the wind. And as it grew lighter not a sail was to be seen on 

 the bay. Where was the Phillis and her crew ? 



It was nearly noon, when one of the cove boys burst open the cottage 

 door, and cried out abruptly, " They've found the name of the Phillis over 

 there on the rocks, and they're bringing it up here." 



Pale and speechless, Margery sank into the nearest seat. Ran felt that 

 something had happened. "What is it?" he asked; "Is Wob tummin and 

 my faver .'"' 



"O Ranold, Ranold," cried his mother, "your father will never come 

 home any more, and Rob will never come back to us !" 



The sign was brought up and laid on the grass-plot before the door. 

 Yes, it was the very sign that John Wayne had painted with such patient 

 and loving care. In what fearful moment was it wrenched from its hold, 

 and where now were the timbers of the Phillis scattered, and where alas I 

 was the brave crew ?" 



One, two, three days went by. It was a golden Summer afternoon, and 

 the sea was as gentle and placid as if it had never been storm-tossed. Mar- 

 gery, pale and listless sat, slowly drawing her netting-needle in and out 

 through the meshes of her net. She was stunned. It was not possible yet 

 to think of the future, and so she went on doing mechanically as she had 

 done. Ran, rosy, dimpled and dewy-eyed, scarcely awake from his after- 

 noon nap, stood looking out of the cottage door. His long silence attracted 

 Margery's attention. She turned her head wearily to see what he was doing. 



"What is Rannie looking at?" she asked indifferenly. 



"My faver's boat," said the little one sturdily. "My faver is tummin 

 some more, and Wob, too ! I sees 'em my own self." 



Margery's heart gave a great throb. Another instant and she stood beside 

 Ran. Did her eyes deceive her, or was it a phantom craft that was round- 

 ing the headland and sailing so noiselessly into the little cove ? Was it 

 really her husband giving directions to his crew, and Rob himself waving 

 his hat as joyously as when he sailed away, or were her senses leaving her ? 



Ah, yes, she notes now, with a sob of relief, that the name is gone from 

 the bow, but the vessel otherwise seems as staunch as ever. 



The Phillis had been blown off shore and somewhat strained, but had 

 received no other injury save the loss of her name, which had been inse- 

 curely fastened and which the capricious waves must wash up on the cove 

 rocks, and so cause Margery Wayne such days and nights of anguish. The 

 vessel itself had been in a safe harbor before dark on the night of the storm. 



Rob had come home in high feather. He had been all about the city 

 with his father while the Phillis was lying wind-bound. His father had 

 found a good market for his fish, and Rob had taken part of his earnings to 

 buy for himself a four-bladed knife, and for Ran a most wonderful gun, 



