go THE BOY CAPTAIN.

want you to remember this: During the remainder of the
time you are aboard the brig you shall be treated well so
long as you do your duty, and when we get to Hong Kong
I will pay you the same wages as I would honest men;
but turn rusty ever so little, and I sha’ n't hesitate to send
you over the rail without a moment’s warning.”

Neither of the men replied, and Ben was gratified by
seeing that they looked thoroughly cowed, for he took it
as proof that he would have no further trouble with them.

By the time he returned to the galley Uncle Eliphalet
had so far recovered from his terror as to be able to
understand the general condition .of affairs, and the order
was given to supply the prisoners with plenty of beef,
biscuit and tea.

The old darkey looked reproachfully at the young cap-
tain, and then angrily at the crew, as he said:

«“I’se’bleeged ter chop out de beef wid a axe, kase dose
yere yeller scoun’rels hab done gone stole de knives.”

«Why, I saw you throw them at those fellows in the
sampans, uncle,” Ben cried, laughingly.

“Did I, sah? Did I go fur to do eny sich fool bizness ?”

«“ You did for a fact, and there wasn’t very much fool-
ishness about it at the time. It don’t make any difference
how you get the beef into pieces so long as the men are
fed ; so look alive, for we'll soon be wanting something to
eat aft,” and then Ben rejoined his “mate” at the wheel.