"Ay, 'twas the first thing I heard when I landed here, me that he come all these thousand miles to see him, if so be he was alive." Just then he caught sight of Kate Heaver climbing the stair to the deck where they were.

His face flushed; he hurried forward and gripped her by the arm, as her feet touched the upper deck.

"Kate-ay, 'tis Kate!" he cried.

Then he let go her arm and caught a hand in both of his and fondled it.

"Ay, ay, 'tis Kate!" "What is it brings you, Soolsby ?" Kate asked anxiously.
"'Tis not Jasper, and 'tis not the drink-ay, I've been sober since, ever since, Kate, lass," he answered stoutly.