AN IMAGINARY SHIPWRECK. 13

but it might be I’d like to leave this ’ere hooker before
she ’d been at anchor very long.”

«And you want to make a trade with me to help you
off? Is that it?”

_ «Well, it might be, an’ then agin it might n’t.”

“Now see here, shipmate, we won't beat about the
bush any longer,” and the expression of innocent faith on
Ben’s face was replaced by one of determination.
“You’re beginning to realise that the whole boiling
of you are getting into hot water. In fact, I might say
you have already gotten into hot water by being such
idiots as to strike out each man for himself in the yarn-
telling line. The truth of the story is, it might make
trouble for you if known to the consul. Now I’d like to
hear it, and if it was the straight tale I’d be willing to
see you sneak off in the boat we picked up, some time
during my watch, after we arrived in port.”

« But it might be you would n’t stand the first watch
after anchorin’.”

«“T’ll agree to see you get away if you tell me what I
want to know.”

As if to fortify himself for the confession, the sailor
placed carefully in his mouth nearly one-half the stock of
tobacco he had taken from the mate’s plug, and then be-
gan, after first looking around to assure himself his words
could not be overheard by any one save his companion.

“This ’ere is the straight log: We deserted from the
ship Progressive Age night before last; left her without a

bloomin’ soul aboard but the captain’s child an’ a nigger