I wonder now that it did not kill me." "She was a splendid sea-boat, sir.

Although disabled, she fought gallantly against the typhoon.

Nothing short of a reef would break her up." "Ah, well," sighed the shipowner, "the few timbers you have shown me here are the remaining assets out of L300,000." "Was she not insured ?" inquired Robert.
"No; that is, I have recently adopted a scheme of mutual self-insurance, and the loss falls _pro rata_ on my other vessels." The baronet glanced covertly at Iris.

The words conveyed little meaning to her.

Indeed, she broke in with a laugh-- "I am afraid I have heard you say, father dear, that some ships in the fleet paid you best when they ran ashore." "Yes, Iris.