A SELF-ELECTED CAPTAIN. 21

“Well, Ben, my boy, I must confess that you could
do it as well as I, providin’,—an’ now I want you to listen
to the provide. If that ’ere brig was manned and pro-
visioned in proper shape, it could be done by you jest as
well as by me. You see she’s owned by the same firm
we’re workin’ for now.”

“Owned by the same firm?” Ben repeated, in surprise.

“Yes, lad, an’ I’ve seen her many a time. Your
father wouldn't hesitate to take charge of her at once,
an’ I suppose he will, after he knows the whole story.”

«Then he’ll have to put a master aboard.”

«“That’s true, an’ I allow the second officer will get
that job; but perhaps you stand a chance to step into
his shoes.”

« And that’s what I don’t choose to do. I want a vessel
of my own, and here’s an’ opportunity to get one.”

“T admit there is, my boy; but it strikes me you're
bitin’ off a little more’n you can chew this time. You see
it’s jest like this: In the first place your father is bound
to send somebody down there, if he finds the consignees
in Hong Kong have n't already done so.”

“Tt isn’t likely they know where she is, and, besides,
she can’t be consigned there, for, if the sailor tells the
truth, she’s light.”

«Then what is she doin’ ’round here?”

“I don’t know; but he said she was in ballast, and
was n’t provisioned, or, at least, they had broken into her
stores until there was precious little left. I reckon they
wasted three pounds where they ate one.”