16 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

« Be around where I can get hold of you when we draw
near the harbour.”

“Don’t you worry "bout that, lad, I’ll keep as snug to
you as ever a flea did to a dog.”

Ben had heard all he cared to know, and with the
knowledge had come a sudden determination, which
seemed to him little short of inspiration.

“Tf I stay with father, it may be ten years before I
ever see a chance of commanding a vessel, an’ here’s an
opportunity to jump in as captain before I’ve been mate,
if I’ve got the nerve to see the thing through. <A square-
rigged brig; no one aboard but a negro and a child!
The chances are ten to one the natives will make off with
her before long ; but if I can work her up to Hong Kong
the owners are bound to give me the full share of the
credit. Ill try it unless father puts his foot down so hard

)

that it’ll be dangerous;” and the young sailor fell to
pacing back and forth to leeward of the deck-house, with .
his hands behind him, studying intently on what, to an
elder man, might have seemed a problem which could

not be solved unaided.