36 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

“We'll hunt around a bit. I don’t see any here,” Mr.
Short replied, thoughtfully.

“It looks to me as if there were plenty.”

“Why, you are not countin’ on tryin’ it in one of these
small craft, are you?”

“ Of course ; what’s to hinder? I reckon they will keep
above water till I get there, and the smaller she is the less
money to pay.”

“Tt strikes me you’re bound to make this scheme as
dangerous as you know how, an’ yet the orders are that
you are not to be interfered with in any way.”

Then Mr. Short began bargaining with one of the native
boatmen; Ben purchased a limited amount of provisions,
and in less than two hours from the time his father had
given permission, the would-be captain started on what was
certainly a venturesome, if not decidedly perilous, voyage.

Of the journey in the sampan it is not necessary to
speak at length, save concerning one apparently trifling
episode, since, despite the opportunity for adventure, the
voyage was as uneventful as can well be imagined.

The boatmen had been employed to take their pas-
sengers to Nampang Island, where all their responsibility
would cease, and, in order to earn their money quickly,
made no halt; but urged the frail craft at her best speed
inside the chain of islands along the coast.

Ben had no reason to fret because of delay, save in the
one instance referred to, and that was so trifling that, eager
though he was to arrive at his destination, he would have
been ashamed to complain.