CHAPTER VI.
AN UNWILLING CREW.

HE time which Ben thus occupied in maturing his

plans had been utilised by the steward in preparing
the afternoon meal, and he now began to bring it aft,
placing it, according to the young girl’s directions, on the
top of the house, without any pretensions to elegance in
the manner of serving it.

Cold boiled beef, ship’s biscuit, hot tea, and pickles
made up the entire bill of fare; not a very much better
meal than would have been served in the forecastle of the
Sportsman, and Ben asked in surprise :

“Ts it possible the stores are down as low as this,
steward? Haven’t you got any little delicacy for Miss
Dunham?”

«She doesn’t need any,” the young girl said, quickly,
“and could not have it if she did. The stock of flour is
so low we cannot afford hot biscuit, except as a luxury,
and, after having put up with such fare as this so many
days, I guess it won’t be a serious matter if I do not
have anything different until we reach port.”

«Which we shall do, please God, very soon, providing
we can get away before those fellows on shore have com-
pleted their preparations,’ Ben replied; and then, as if

76