CHAPTER III.
NAMPANG ISLAND.

EN did not appear particularly jolly when he came
over the side of the ship after his visit ashore, and
Mr. Short said, as he stepped on deck :

“Well, lad, it don’t look as if you had met any too
much encouragement since you’ve been gone.”

“Indeed, I didn’t,’ Ben replied, and then he went to
the deck-house as if wishing to shut himself out from
view of his shipmates while he recovered from the disap-
pointment.

Although his father had not positively refused to allow
him to carry out his scheme, he had very little hope of
being permitted to attempt it, and his sorrow was as great
proportionately as his aim had been high.

Not until half an hour elapsed did he show himself
again, and then he could not fail to comment upon the
fact that the deserters from the brig were no longer on
board.

““What became of those fellows we picked up?” he
asked the steward.

“They went ashore inirons. I reckon the consul must
have sent for them. That second mate will have to post

”

his men better, if he wants to keep out of the jug.

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