72 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

and spare weapons, such as two cutlasses, and one of the
steward’s knives, on the companionway steps where they
could be reached with the least difficulty, and the young
captain paced to and fro as if trying to decide some
weighty question.

Not a breath of air had been stirring during the day;
but now, as the night approached, a light breeze, coming
from the direction of the island, rippled the glassy waters,
and again did Ben think it might not only be possible, but
advisable, to leave the dangerous anchorage.

“Can you steer?” he asked suddenly, turning toward
the young girl, who was leaning over the edge of the
companionway, scanning the island through the glass.

“Qh, yes, indeed! I don’t know that I should be very
successful at it in heavy weather; but, under ordinary
circumstances, I can handle the wheel.”

«Then I'll try it,” he said, half to himself.

“Try what?” Miss Dunham asked, curiously.

“The scheme of getting under way before those
fellows can come down on us in such numbers that we
shall be literally overwhelmed.”

“But I don’t think you should count on any assistance
from the steward. He is so old and timid that I question
if you would be able to get him aloft.”

“T sha’n’t attempt it. We have three able-bodied men
here, and it seems a clear waste of raw material not to
make them earn their grub.”

« Are you thinking of trying to persuade those China-
men to help you?”