IIo THE BOY CAPTAIN.

had no mental disquietude concerning the immediate
future,

It can well be fancied how sound his slumbers were on
that night, and decidedly refreshing in more senses than
one, for ever and again would come to him, borne by the
dream elves, a certain rosy-cheeked face and sparkling
eyes, over which the brown hair was blown by the wind
like films of the sheeniest silk.

When he awakened next morning it was with the
feeling that he would have been almost willing to forego
the satisfaction of being in truth the commander of the
Progressive Age, if he could have his “mate” with him
then, instead of at Hong Kong, even though she was
there working in his interest.

There was too much labour to be performed, however, to
permit of his building air-castles, and he set about the
tasks of the day in the most energetic fashion.

Again did it seem as if fortune was determined to
shower all possible blessings upon him, for, before noon,
a merchant came on board with a proposition of the most
advantageous freight direct to New York, and, after some
bargaining, Ben closed the trade.

He had every reason to congratulate himself, not only
upon having rescued the brig from the dangerous position
in which the original crew had left her, but on having
made such arrangements for the voyage home as must
unquestionably prove in the highest degree satisfactory
to the owners.

“T wish she had waited one day longer, and taken with