24 . THE BOY CAPTAIN.

As to why the brig was bound to Hong Kong in ballast,
the sailor was unable to say, as a matter of course. He
could only describe her location at the time of their leav-
ing, and repeated again that the only persons on board
were a negro steward and the captain’s child.

““Who’s takin’ care of the young one?” Mr. Short asked.

“Tf the nigger ain’t doin’ it, I reckon things are goin’
*bout as they please. All I was thinkin’ of at the time
was to get shut of the brig, an’ was willin’ to let them as
we left behind run matters to suit themselves. Now if
you've got through with me, sir, I’ll go on deck, for I’ve
been here too long already.”

Mr. Short motioned toward the door, and the man
departed, Ben gazing eagerly into the officer’s face as if
to ask what he thought of the matter now.

“Tt stands jest about where it did, lad,” the mate re-
plied, as if reading the question in the boy’s eyes. “I
allow the sailor is tellin’ the truth this time, an’ yet I don’t
see as that wild scheme of yours looks any better than it
did before. What I said a while ago fits in now, an’ I feel
like givin’ the advice over agin. Do whatever you’re a
mind to towards gettin’ ready for the voyage; but don’t
really start till you’ve talked with the captain, an’ told
him all you know.”

From that hour until the Sportsman arrived in port,
Ben was constantly speculating as to how he might best
accomplish that upon which he was determined, and when
the ship’s anchors were let go he had a definite plan in
his mind as to the course which should be pursued.