ANTICIPATING TROUBLE. 59

“TI don’t wonder your father brought you to sea with
him. A woman like you is worth a dozen of some men
such as I know.”

,

«Thank you, sir,” the young girl replied, laughingly.
“T hope before many days you will have even a better
impression of me.”

«That would not be possible,’ Ben said, gallantly, and
then he went on deck to make ready what might be an
instrument of destruction, as well for those who handled

it, as the enemy toward whom it should be directed.