It4 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

matters have turned, I am inclined to think it was a good
idea to send a boy for the craft, rather than an experienced
master, for no one but a man before the mast would have
taken the chances of putting to sea with such a crew as

you had.”
« Well, for the matter of that, it strikes me that I didn’t
have very much choice,” Ben replied, laughingly. «It

was a question of weighing anchor or staying there to
be murdered, and I quite naturally wanted to keep the
breath of life in my body a few days more.”

« How long before you will be ready to put to sea?”

«“ Three or four days, according to the way the cargo is
being rushed aboard. You see my charter calls for the
utmost despatch, and they seem to be filling their part of
the contract to the queen’s taste. Will you have a look at
the brig, sir?”’

“ No, I fancy not, unless there is some particular reason
for my doing so. I know her pretty well, and have been
aboard many times when this young lady’s father was in
command.”

Then the elder captain gave his-son some good advice
relative to the voyage which was to be so soon begun, and,
refusing an invitation to remain over night, on the plea
that he wanted to go on the next steamer to Hong Kong,
took his departure as he said :

“Of course you will visit the agents before you leave,
consequently I shall see you on board the Sportsman
within the next two or three days.”

Then the young people were left alone, and Ben, after