LN COMMAND. 93

possession of the brig, and it would n’t be strange if they
did contemplate something of the kind, since there is
really only one man to oppose them.”

“But I can keep my eye on them and steer at the
same time.”

“And so can I,” Miss Dunham replied quickly ; «or, at
least, I can do the steering, and if you are at liberty it will
be possible to get the decks into something like decent
condition before we reach port.”

As a matter of fact Ben preferred to have the young
lady near him, and, since she was so determined to assist
in working the brig, he made no further attempt to send
her below.

As she had said, there was very much to be done, and
when the Chinamen had finished their meal, the young
captain called them aft to send the cannon below, taking
good care, at the same time, to let them see that both
he and the young lady were on the alert for possible
mischief.

Then a feeble attempt was made to clear the decks, at
least so far as to render it possible for the men to do
the necessary work of handling the ship, and by sunset
matters wore a decidedly different appearance from what
they had when the young captain came on board.

These seamanlike operations had restored to old Eliph-
alet his lost courage, and he bustled around in the
galley in the busiest fashion, singing «“Ebery day “Il be
Sunday byneby,” in the jolliest manner possible.

Ben spelled Miss Dunham at the wheel while she ate