132 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

the crew thought they could conveniently dispose of dur-
ing the day, the remainder was dropped overboard, and
the decks washed.

“Now we’ve got an opportunity to test the supersti-
tion,” Ben said, with a laugh, as old Eliphalet announced
that breakfast was served, and Mr. Bean replied. very
positively :

“Yes, sir, and before night we shall be scudding under-
considerably less canvas than we have got now.”

“It won't do us any harm to get a taste of something
in the way of wind, although I don’t fancy we should
have to wait many hours even if the shark had not been
killed. It isn’t likely a calm can last very long in
October.”

At that moment not the faintest indication of a storm
could be seen. The waters were as calm as a mill-pond,
and the sky without a cloud.

One of the steaks from the shark was served for the
captain’s table, and Miss Dunham made merry over the
first officer’s belief that the death of the fish must be
avenged; but neither she nor Ben considered the meat
as anything of a luxury. There was too much in the way
of fresh provisions on board yet for them to turn to
shark’s flesh as a delicacy, and when the breakfast was
concluded and old Eliphalet began to clear away the
dishes, the young girl said, laughingly :

«We have left the fish for you, uncle. It didn’t seem
right for us to eat too much while you are so fond of
it.”