NAMPANG ISLAND. 4I

Ben did not finish the sentence, and it is more than
probable he wished very heartily he had kept his opinions
regarding children to himself, for at that instant, as he
half turned to look around while continuing his speech
with the cook, he saw standing within a few feet of him
as charming a specimen of young womanhood as it had
ever been his good fortune to meet.

His hat was off his head in an instant, and, while doing
his best to make a graceful bow, he said, stammeringly :

“IT beg your pardon, miss; but the cook here told me
there was no one but himself and a child on board.”

“Uncle Eliphalet only speaks the truth,” the young
lady replied. ‘Iam the child.”

Ben’s confusion increased rather than diminished, and,
despite all his efforts, he could summon no words to his
lips more gallant than —

“The sailor spoke of you as a child, and I had an idea
I was going to find a little bit of a thing —I mean, an
infant.”

“The sailor,’ the young lady repeated, in surprise.
“Have you seen any of our crew?”

Ben explained how he had learned of the condition of
the vessel, and when he concluded the young lady asked
doubtfully :

“Are you empowered, sir, to take command of this
brig ?”

“Tam,” Ben replied, promptly, recovering his presence
of mind now that they were speaking of business, “and
here is my authority,” he added, as he handed her the