252 ALL ABOARD FOR SUNRISE LANDS.

resembling the state-rooms in the cabin, but fitted in plainer style.

“ And what next?” asked the explorer.

In the rear of the officers’ quarters were open doors, from which
escaped a warm savory smell; and while the ever-hungry Rick was
enjoying it, a dark face suddenly popped out. Popping out, it then
popped in again, as if the owner had taken a sudden look at sea and
sky to ascertain the weather, and then had retired to private life again.
Tt was a funny head; both black and bald, save where two little woolly
knobs of white hair projected back of the ears.

“That must be ‘Old Bumble-bee,’ the cook,” thought Rick; and he
retreated. :

The cook’s real name was Solomon Bumble; but the crew preferred
to call him “Old Bumble-bee.”

“You can launch that name easier than t’other,’

)

explained Jack
Bobstay to the boys; then he said in a whisper, “Jt is also in accord-
ance with the facts; for the old cook has a stinger, which he knows
how to use.”

Uncle Nat had also told the boys that the cook was “a bit testy,”
and he would not keep him, “but ‘Old Bumble-bee’ gets nice messes
for the table; andthen you see, boys, we have to put up with some-
thing in everybody, and with a good deal in ourselves, which I some-
times forget; but I certamly want to remember it.”

The cook having once examined the sea and sky, had now put his
head out again. Giving one look at Rick, he retreated into his palace
a second time, shutting the door. Rick now went to find Jack
Bobstay.

«And is Boson glad to be at sea again?” asked the old tar.

‘Oh yes.”

“T remember my going off in a ship my first voyage. My aunt was
there, and she stood her younger son on a hogshead to see me off. I