)
'Get out the boat,' I says,' and we'll tow her into Plymouth.
If you're smart we may pluck her into Cattewater in time for Daniel
to catch a train home. Sam can go home, too, if he has a mind, and
the youngster can stay and help me look after things. I've seen a
many Christmasses,' said I, 'and I'd as lief spend this one at
Plymouth as anywhere else. You can give 'em all my love, and turn up
again the day after Boxin' Day--and mind you ask for excursion
tickets,' I said.
"They tumbled the boat out fast enough, you may be sure. Leastways
the two men were smart enough. But the boy seemed ready to cry, so
that my heart smote me. 'There!' said I, 'and Dicky can go too, if
he'll pull for it. I shan't mind bein' left to myself. A redeemed
man's never lonely--least of all at Christmas time.'
"Well, sir, they nipped into the boat, leavin' me aboard to steer;
and they pulled--pulled--like as if they'd pull their hearts out.
But it happened a strongish tide was settin' out o' the Sound, and
long before we fetched past the breakwater I saw there was no chance
to make Cattewater before nightfall, let alone their gettin' to the
railway station.
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