HARRY AND THE CAPTAIN. 73

us out of our course, and we might have contrary
winds, which would further increase the difficulty.
I thought that very likely some of the blacks knew
more about the matter‘than I did, but I did not like
to confess my apprehensions to them lest they might
be tempted to play some trick, and perhaps run
away with the vessel altogether.

The only person in whom I could confide was
Paul. I knew that I could trust him thoroughly,
but then I suspected that he was not a better navi-
gator than I was, as he had only served on board a
man-of-war and merchantmen, when he would not
have been able to learn anything about the matter.

_ The captain caught sight of me through the
‘open door of his berth, as I was poring over the
chart spread out on the table of the main cabin.
‘ What are you about, Harry ?’ he asked.

I told him that I was looking at the chart to
see what course we ought to steer.

‘* Don’t trouble yourself about that, lad,’ he
answered; I shall be well as soon as the breeze
cones. It’s this hot calm keeps me down. Ifthe
wind had continued, I should have been myself
again by this time, though I have had a narrow

squeak for it. Pll ‘allow.’