YOURS WITH ALL MY HEART 



boat-mooring in December, I guess you can 

 bring that gun up at low tide in April. We 

 can tell, into three feet, of just where it lies.' 1 



"Yes," they said ruefully, "but 'tisn't 

 going to do it any good to soak there in salt 

 water all night; and no knowing what that 

 infernal goose'll do next.' 



"Well, boys, I wouldn't worry about him; 

 you meant all right. I shall have to say 

 good-night now, but I'll be out in the gray 

 of the morning, when the tide is down, to 

 help you fish for the gun.' 



Old Billy Honks was still winging away 

 to the northward. He had left the familiar 

 bay, the little island with its castle he had 

 fondly called his own for months, behind 

 him. The only soul to share it with him 

 had been a little brown owl who roosted in 

 the stone-work of the tower above the en- 

 trance. She had startled the newcomers 

 that very day by fluttering wildly down, 

 with a blind rush, when they slid the bolt in 

 the door, but they only said, ' Oh, that's the 

 dear little owl, on guard ; strange we have to 

 jump so every time we meet her.' 



Billy Honks philosophized some to him- 

 self. Mankind had never shown much love 

 196 



