Next to these trips, Rod's chief delight was to sit before the big open
fire on a cold or stormy Saturday afternoon, and listen to the captain
as he told stories of his sea life, while he worked fixing up his
traps, making stretchers for the pelts, or doing other odd jobs. How
the boy's heart would thrill, and his eyes sparkle with animation as
Captain Josh told of furious seas he had encountered, the dangers he
had escaped, and the races he had made with other sailing-vessels.
Sometimes he would tell an amusing tale, at which the boy would laugh
in high glee. Often Rod would ask questions about the sailors, the
sea-monsters, and the various ports the captain had visited. Sometimes
they would pore over an old geography, while the captain pointed out
with his big fore-finger the countries he had visited, and the routes
he had taken. Rod was thus so well acquainted with certain countries
that his teacher was much surprised at his knowledge.
It was only natural that people should talk about this strange
friendship between the rough old sea-captain and the little boy. How
their tongues did wag, and many were the visits of protest paid to the
rectory. The principal discussion, however, always took place at the
regular meetings of the Ladies' Aid Society.
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