Chapter Fifty Four.
Surprises.
Since we last met Adam Halliburt the Nancy had shared the fate of other craft; her stout planks and timbers gradually yielding to age, she had become too leaky to put to sea, and had been broken up for firewood. Adam having no sons to help him, had taken to inshore fishing in a small boat which he and a lad could manage. The dame’s baskets were, however, still well supplied with fish.
Honest Jacob, to his parents’ joy, had arrived at home. Adam was about to set out on his daily fishing.
“I will go with you, father,” he said; “maybe with my help you will sooner be able to get back.”
The dame, glad that Adam should enjoy his son’s company, was willing to wait till their return, to hear all Jacob had to tell them.
They stood away under sail to the south, where the best fishing ground lay.
Seldom had Adam been so happy as he was listening to Jacob’s account of his adventures, and not often had he been more successful in making a good catch of fish.