A SELF-ELECTED CAPTAIN. 25

Fortune favored the man who had turned informer
against his companions.

Night had just come on when the ship was moored, and
Ben’s acquaintance was keenly alive to the fact that he
must make his escape before the harbour-master should
come aboard.

Mr. Short was on duty, and, in order to forward the
scheme, had had two of the boats, in addition to the cap-
tain’s gig, lowered, one being the craft purporting to have
come from the Progressive Age.

“Tf your man don’t get away within ten minutes it'll
be too late,’ Mr. Short said in a low tone as he passed
Ben, who was leaning over the rail awaiting the develop-
ments of his scheme, and the sailor who had particular
interest in these arrangements approached at this moment.

The remainder of the work was comparatively easy.

Ben repeated to the man what the mate had said, and
added on his own account:

“Tf you look alive you can get away now without any
one’s seeing. Stand here, and if I whistle before you’re
over the rail, lounge forward again.”

The sailor made no reply, but disappeared in the
gloom, and Ben, after waiting ten minutes, looked over
the side.

The boat from the Progressive Age had disappeared,
and that the man had made good his escape was equally
certain, therefore the boy’s responsibility in the matter
ceased.

Whether the first or second officer had reported to the