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The lightkeeper made no comment. After a moment the young man continued. "I landed in Boston," he said, "full of conceit and high-minded ideas of working my own way up the ladder. But in order to work up, you've got to get at least a hand-hold on the bottom rung. I couldn't get it. Nobody wanted a genteel loafer, which was me. My money gave out.
The lightkeeper occupies a position apart among men. In sea-towers the complement has always been three since the deplorable business in the Eddystone, when one keeper died, and the survivor, signalling in vain for relief, was compelled to live for days with the dead body.
Land sakes, HURRY! Do you suppose I want anybody to know I'm here?" The lightkeeper closed the door. The clang reverberated through the tower like distant thunder. The visitor started nervously. "Mercy!" she exclaimed; "what a racket! What made you slam it?" "Didn't," grumbled Seth. "Any kind of a noise sounds up in here." "I should think as much. It's enough to wake the dead."
Her fiance waved a reassuring hand. "It it's all right," he gasped. "I was just laughing at . . . Oh," pointing an unsteady finger at the lightkeeper, "ask him; he knows." "Ask him?" repeated the bewildered young lady. "Why, Mr. Atkins Bascom, I mean what. . . ." And then Seth began to laugh. Leaning against the doorpost, he at first chuckled and then roared. "Seth!" cried his wife.
Joining the night-watch of the chief lightkeeper, I also joined in the good man's enthusiasm for his wonderful "fixed white light," the bright beams of which poured out upon the surrounding waters a flood if brilliancy, gladdening hearts far out at sea, even though twenty miles away, and plainly saying, "This is Body Island Beach: keep off!"
Her seams, those which the sun had opened, were caulked neatly; her deck was clean and white; she was partially rigged, with new and old canvas and ropes; and to his landsman's eyes she looked almost fit for sea. But when he said as much to Seth, the latter laughed scornfully. "Fit for nothin'," scoffed the lightkeeper. "I could make her fit, maybe, if I wanted to spend money enough, but I don't.
The lightkeeper, greatly alarmed, interrupted him. "Hush!" he whispered. "Don't say that. That ain't my name down here." "Indeed? What is your name?" "Down here they call me Seth Atkins." Bennie D. looked puzzled. Then his expression changed. He was relieved.
The lightkeeper experimented with no more dogs, but he had evidently not forgotten the lifesaving man's warning concerning possible thieves, for he purchased a big spring-lock in Eastboro and attached it to the door of the boathouse on the little wharf.
John Reid, principal lightkeeper, who also acted as master of the floating light during the working months at the rock, described the appearance of numerous lights situated so low in the water, when seen at the distance of two or three miles, as putting him in mind of Milton's description of the fiends in the lower regions, adding, 'for it seems greatly to surpass Will-o'- the-Wisp, or any of those earthly spectres of which we have so often heard.
And," with a half smile, "if I was you I'd stay keepin' lights; it, or somethin' else, has improved you a whole lot. Good-by." Then he sprang forward. "Emeline," he cried, "Emeline, wait. You mustn't go. I can't let you go this way. I . . . What's that?" "That" was the sound of horse's feet and the rattle of wheels. The lightkeeper ran to the window. "It's Henry G.'s grocery cart," he said.
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