MISS DUNHAM’S RETURN. 113

She would have made us listen whether we wanted to or
not, so determined was she to sing your praises.”

Ben looked up quickly at the young girl, and she added,
archly :

“JT only did that because I wanted to enlist your father
and Mr. Short in your behalf. Of course, you know I said
a good many things I didn’t believe.”

«Then perhaps I ought not to thank you, if I owe my
position as captain to any misrepresentations on your
part,” Ben replied, with an assumption of gravity he was
very far from feeling.

“But to the agents and consul I told only the facts,”
the young woman replied, now quite serious. “I fancied
your father and Mr. Short would be more interested in a
highly coloured picture of your exploits, therefore laid
the paint on as thickly as was consistent with a semblance
of truth.”

“Did you overexert yourself to such an extent that
father thought it necessary to come back with you?”

“TJ will trust her to go anywhere alone,” the older captain
said, quickly. “Iam here as representative of the owners
to decide with you upon the general details of the voyage;
but it would seem as if my visit was unnecessary, since
you are so nearly ready for sea. I fancy there is little
for me to do except make a friendly visit and go back. I
must congratulate you, my son, however, upon the manner
in which you have done this work, and say that you thor-
oughly deserve the command of the brig, even though you
did jump directly from the forecastle to the cabin. As