YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF



"I'm not wanting to dictate to you, lad," Charley said; "but I'm
very much against your making a last raid. You've gone safely
through rough times with rough men, and it would be a shame to have
something happen to you at the very end."

"But how can I get out of making a last raid?" I demanded, with the
cocksureness of youth. "There always has to be a last, you know,
to anything."

Charley crossed his legs, leaned back, and considered the problem.
"Very true. But why not call the capture of Demetrios Contos the
last? You're back from it safe and sound and hearty, for all your
good wetting, and--and--" His voice broke and he could not speak
for a moment. "And I could never forgive myself if anything
happened to you now."

I laughed at Charley's fears while I gave in to the claims of his
affection, and agreed to consider the last raid already performed.
We had been together for two years, and now I was leaving the fish
patrol in order to go back and finish my education. I had earned
and saved money to put me through three years at the high school,
and though the beginning of the term was several months away, I
intended doing a lot of studying for the entrance examinations.

My belongings were packed snugly in a sea-chest, and I was all