LN COMMAND. IOr

After having satisfied their curiosity regarding the port
toward which circumstances directed them, Miss Dunham
was no longer particularly interested in Macao ; but seemed
anxious to learn what Ben’s chances were for gaining
permanent command of the brig, and it pleased him not a
little when she expressed fear lest something might occur
to prevent this consummation of his desires.

“T suppose there is less chance of finding a master
without a ship in this port than there would be at Hong
Kong?” she suggested.

“That wouldn’t make any difference,’ Ben replied.
«The two ports are so near together that there would be
no difficulty in sending a man from one to the other at a
moment's notice. My only idea was that I should of a
necessity be forced to remain considerably longer on board,
and of course every day I stay by the brig makes my
chances so much the better.”

“Do you intend to go to Hong Kong immediately after
arriving ?”’

“As soon after as is possible.”

“Would you do so if you were really in command of the
brig 2?”

“No, I should content myself with sending a message,
and attend to getting her into some kind of a decent con-
dition before making a personal report.”

The young girl was silent for a moment, and then asked,
suddenly :

“ Whom would you send if you had a full crew aboard?”

“Well, most likely, the mate, for I should prefer to re-