At Waterville they admired the great mills, which they fancied
must be among the largest in the world; and when, shortly after
noon, they reached Bangor, and saw real ships, looking very like
the pictures in their geographies, only many times more
interesting, their cup of happiness was full.

Mark and Ruth called all the vessels they saw "ships;" but their
father, who had made several sea-voyages as a young man, said that
most of them were schooners, and that he would explain the
difference to them when they got to sea and he had plenty of time.

The children were bewildered by the noise of the railroad station
and the cries of the drivers and hotel runners--all of whom made
violent efforts to attract the attention of the Elmer party. At
length they got themselves and their bags safely into one of the
big yellow omnibuses, and were driven to a hotel, where they had
dinner. Mark and Ruth did not enjoy this dinner much, on account
of its many courses and the constant attentions of the waiters.

It had stopped snowing, and after dinner the party set forth in
search of the Nancy Bell. By making a few inquiries they soon
found her, and were welcomed on board by her young, pleasant-
faced captain, whose name was Eli Drew, but whom all his friends
called "Captain Li."

The Nancy Bell was a large three-masted schooner, almost new, and
as she was the first vessel "Captain Li" had ever commanded, he
was very proud of her. He took them at once into his own cabin,
which was roomy and comfortable, and from which opened four state-