102 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

main here myself to see that the brig was in proper con-
dition before starting on the voyage, which would require
considerable time.”

«Why not send your mate as it is? She can’t do any-
thing toward fitting out the ship; but may be able to
accomplish considerable with the agents.”

« Are you proposing to go to Hong Kong yourself?”
Ben asked, in surprise.

«“T must be very stupid in the manner of expressing
myself if you don’t understand that by this time.”

« But do you mean to propose to speak with the agents
about my taking the brig home ?”

)

“Certainly ;” and then, looking up at him with a merry
twinkle in her eyes, she added : “« Didn’t you say that any
agent or consignee would be powerless if I stood before
him once?”

«Well, I meant it!’ Ben cried, bringing his hand down
on the spoke of the wheel with a resounding slap, to give
greater emphasis to the words. “If you go to report
the arrival of the Progressive Age, there is no doubt but
that I shall be appointed captain, provided you say the
word.”

“T shall say the word, and now all you have to do is
attend to shipping your mate off as soon as we are at
anchor. In addition to calling on the agents, I shall pay
a visit to the Sportsman, and tell Captain Thompson what
a brave son he has.”

“Well, there I am afraid you will fail,’ Ben said,
laughingly. “While I am ready to take oath that any