182 BROADLAND SPORT 



of milk to the gangway. Had she waited for us, on the 

 morning in question, to come to the shed, as had been our 

 custom, she would have wasted many valuable hours. We 

 are late Jsleepers ; we had travelled far the day previously, 

 when the wind had been adverse to our progress ; we had 

 had much recourse both to the quant and to forcible 

 language, and we had one and all determined ere we turned 

 in, long after midnight, to take it out on this the following 

 morning. But " Molly " we had not bargained for. It is 

 true we should hardly have breakfasted without visiting 

 her dairy for a supply of fresh butter, eggs, milk, cream 

 and such dainties as we could purchase, but we had not 

 reckoned on her visiting us. She, on the other hand, had not 

 reckoned on our plans for deep slumber, and, as she ex- 

 plained to us in her own sweet, charming manner, " She 

 thought as how she would spare us the journey through 

 the wet grass, and catch us all at home together like at the 

 same time." 



Few minutes tick from the cabin clock ere our entire 

 crew are seated on the hatches near the stern sheets, 

 laughing and chatting with Molly. Our costumes are 

 conspicuous for the variety of cut, cloth and colour which 

 they exhibit ; but Molly is not one of those who are easily 

 shocked, nor is she particular to clothes so long as the heart 

 beneath is true and honest. She ridicules the maxim, " Fine 

 feathers make fine birds," and well she seems to know our 

 eccentricities, as she already does our weakness for mush- 

 rooms and fruit. This morning she has anticipated our 

 longings, and a fine well-filled basket makes our breakfast- 

 table look appetising enough for royalty. 



In our gratitude, added to a selfish feeling to retain her 

 companionship the longer, we press her to stay and partake 

 of dejedner a la fourchette. But no, Molly always re- 

 membered her duty, and she, laughing, leaves us to prepare 

 our own meal whilst she goes home. 



No sooner has she left than one by one we silently and 

 sorrowfully crawl back to our blankets, each to enjoy his 



