A SELF-ELECTED CAPTAIN. 19

«“ But supposin’ it should turn out, after the fellow got
clean off, that there had been a mutiny in which the
officers were killed? Then how would we feel about
having helped him away.”

«Tl answer for it that he told the truth. In the first
place, it didn’t seem as if he was on very good terms
with the mate, for he couldn’t get what tobacco he
wanted, and then again he knows he’s in a scrape, there-
fore is anxious to get out. If there’d been a regular
mutiny they wouldn't have allowed themselves to be
picked up so near port, for it would have been an easy
matter to make their way to Hong Kong along the shore.”

«That may be, lad, but when I strike a liar I never
believe him, even while he’s telling the truth.”

« But will you help me to get him away?”

«Yes, I reckon I’ll have to now, if you’ve given your
word he shall go. I don’t suppose he counts on your
providin’ him with anything?”

“No; all he wants is to leave the ship.”

“He shall have that chance if it’s my watch when we
arrive, and the captain ain’t too sharp for me. But in
case we get there early in the forenoon I’m afraid he’ll
stand a pretty poor show.”

“Of course; but that’s his own lookout. If we
should arrive in the morning he’s got sense enough to
know I couldn’t help him at that time. Now, Mr. Short,
there’s something else I want to talk about.”

«Another Mother Carey’s chicken on your hands that
you’ve got to help away?”