and the men changed into dry garments loaned by the fishermen and the others. Soon after the last one came ashore the wreck broke up and sank.
"Well, of all the wonderful things I ever experienced, this is the most marvelous," declared Mr. Duncan, as he sat with his son's hand in his. "I am wrecked twice, and come back to the same place I ran away from, to find Joe waiting for me."
"It is wonderful," agreed Joe, wondering how he was going to bring up the subject of the wreckers.
"Yes, this is the very place I left in such a hurry, a few months ago," went on Mr. Duncan.
"Would you mind telling me why you left so suddenly?" asked the lighthouse keeper, solemnly. "Of course it's none of my affair; but I might say it concerns you mightily, Nate Duncan. Can you prove your innocence?"
"Prove my innocence! Of what charge?" cried the man.
"Oh, father, of course we don't believe it!" burst out Joe, unable to keep silent longer; "but Hemp Danforth says you were implicated with him in wrecking boats by means of false lights!"
"Hemp Danforth says that!" cried Joe's father.
