A FLOOD OF LIGHT.
ALARIC LOOKED, RUBBED HIS EYES, AND LOOKED AGAIN.
As the brilliant light flooded the place where the boys stood, they were for a minute blinded by its radiance. Bonny was bewildered and frightened, and even Alaric was greatly startled. Gradually, as their eyes grew accustomed to the brightness, they became aware of a single figure standing before them, and regarding them curiously. Alaric looked, rubbed his eyes, and looked again. Then he sprang forward with a great shout.
"Dad! you dear old dad! I never was so glad to see any one in my life!"
"Rick! you young rascal!" cried Amos Todd. "How could you play your old father such a trick? Never mind, though; you've won your game, and at the same time made me the very happiest and proudest man on the coast this night. Stand there, sir, and let me have a good look at you."
With this the proud father held his stalwart son off at arm's-length and gazed at him with loving admiration.
"The very neatest trick I ever heard of—the most impudent, and the most successful," he murmured. "But don't you ever be guilty of such a thing again, you young smuggler."
"Indeed I won't, dad, for I know I shall never have any reason or desire to repeat it," replied Alaric, promptly, his voice trembling with joyful excitement. "But, dad, you mustn't forget Bonny; for whatever I have gained or learned this past summer, I owe to him."
"God bless the lad! Indeed I will never forget what he has done both for you and for me," cried Amos Todd, stepping forward, and seizing Bonny's hand in a grasp that made him wince.